The Israeli Knesset has passed a new law permitting the government to deport family members of individuals convicted of terrorism-related crimes, even if they are Israeli citizens.
Disproportionate Measures
The law, proposed by a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, applies to immediate relatives — parents, siblings, and children — of those found guilty of committing or supporting acts of terrorism.
The decision has sparked significant controversy and criticism from human rights groups in Israel, who argue that the law is unconstitutional, according to Digi24.
Critics contend that the measure disproportionately targets Palestinian citizens of Israel, who make up about 20% of the country’s population.
Some members of the Knesset raised concerns that the law may not apply to Jewish Israeli citizens, despite violent actions they may commit.
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Legal Concerns
For instance, opposition member Merav Michaeli argued that the law might not be used against families of Jewish extremists, referencing Yigal Amir, who assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.
Another member questioned whether the families of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has faced past convictions for inciting violence, would face similar consequences.
The law allows deportation of relatives who had prior knowledge of a planned attack but did not report it, or those who publicly supported or sympathized with the terrorist acts.
Relatives who have expressed “praise, sympathy, or encouragement” for acts of terrorism or terrorist groups may also be expelled by an order from the Interior Minister.
Deported individuals would be sent to Gaza or another location based on the specific circumstances, and Israeli citizens deported under this law would retain their citizenship but would be banned from returning for 7 to 15 years.
Experts have voiced legal concerns. Eran Shamir-Borer, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, noted that the law might face challenges in Israel’s Supreme Court, as previous cases on deportation have favored maintaining constitutional protections.
If challenged, he believes the law could be overturned on grounds of violating Israel’s core values.
