Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a court to revoke the Israeli citizenship of two Palestinian men convicted of terrorism-related offenses. This move marks the first application of a law enacted in 2020 that allows for the revocation of citizenship and subsequent deportation of Palestinian citizens found guilty of specific violent crimes, including terrorism.
Netanyahu’s court filing argues that the severity of the offenses committed by the men, along with financial support they allegedly received from a fund associated with the Palestinian Authority, justifies the stripping of their citizenship. The prime minister has long claimed that this funding incentivizes acts of violence, including attacks on Israeli civilians.
Details of the Convictions
The two men in question are Mohamad Ahmad, a resident of Jerusalem, and Mohammed Ahmad Hussein al-Halsi. Ahmad was convicted of terrorism-related offenses in connection with a shooting attack in 2002, serving a 23-year sentence before his release on July 4, 2024. Al-Halsi, sentenced in 2016 to 18 years in prison for stabbing elderly women, also received payments while incarcerated.
According to the 2020 legislation, individuals convicted of crimes deemed as a breach of loyalty to the State of Israel, including terrorism, can be deported to Gaza upon completion of their sentences. If the court agrees with Netanyahu, Ahmad would face immediate deportation, while al-Halsi would be removed upon his release.
Reactions and Criticism
The initiative has sparked significant controversy. Palestinian officials argue that the fund in question serves as a safety net for families with relatives in Israeli detention, countering Netanyahu’s claims about its purpose. Criticism of the law itself emphasizes that it could create a legal framework that treats Jewish and Palestinian individuals differently, potentially leading to unequal application of justice.
Rights groups have voiced concerns that the law effectively discriminates against Palestinian citizens, as it appears to target a specific demographic while excluding Jewish Israelis, including settlers who have committed similar offenses. The general director of Adalah, a legal center focusing on the rights of Arab citizens in Israel, described the move as “a cynical propaganda effort” by Netanyahu. He asserted that stripping individuals of their citizenship undermines fundamental principles of the rule of law.
In light of these developments, the Israeli government has indicated that it plans to pursue similar cases in the future, suggesting a broader strategy regarding citizenship and deportation laws as they pertain to Palestinian citizens. This situation continues to evolve, reflecting the complexities of Israeli-Palestinian relations and the ongoing debate over national identity and legal rights within Israel.
