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Israel proposes bill to revoke Palestinian citizenship Photos/Illustrations
TEL AVIV – Parliament Israel on Monday submitted a bill (bill) to revoke citizens’ citizenship or permanent residency Palestine accused of carrying out “acts of terror” and receiving money from the Palestinian Authority (PA).
This drew a backlash from human rights groups, calling the proposed law an act of “ethnic cleansing”.
The bill passed its first interpretation with 86 out of 120 votes in favour, from both the right-wing government and the opposition. It needs to pass through three interpretations for it to become law.
Israeli lawmakers say they are targeting those who are “disloyal” to the state and are suspected of receiving payments in exchange for carrying out attacks.
Human rights activists later denounced the bill saying it would only apply to Palestinian citizens of Israel, and attempts to “ethnic-cleanse” this population of Israel.
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“The law in its initial form was an attempt to circumvent international law – and even Israeli law – which does not permit the expulsion of citizens without the presence of another country granting them citizenship or residency,” said author and released prisoner Ameer Makhoul.
“The law means gradual ethnic cleansing, starting with the individual and then expanding in scope,” he added.
The bill follows a deal struck between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition partners to put forward legislation to expel “terrorists”.
It goes further than the existing law by stating that individuals will be expelled to the Palestinian Authority after their sentence is served.
