Israeli Parliament approves law to deport relatives of convicted “terrorists” to Gaza

The Israeli Parliament approved in the early hours of this Thursday the law promoted by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party that will allow the Government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deport relatives of convicted “terrorists” to the Gaza Strip or other destinations.

The initiative, promoted by the formation of the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, has passed in the plenary session of the Knesset in second and third reading, with 61 votes in favor and 41 against.

The controversial law allows the Ministry of the Interior to expel first-degree relatives of those convicted of terrorism in the event that they had prior knowledge of said terrorist actions and did not inform the Police, express support for their loved ones, or “identify” ( …) words of praise, sympathy or encouragement with an act of terrorism (…) or a terrorist organization,” reports the newspaper ‘The Times of Israel’.

The Ministry of the Interior will have a period of 14 days to decide on the expulsion of a person, after summoning them to a hearing in which they will have the right to present a defense.

The legislation does not apply exclusively to Israeli citizens – whose expulsion would be between seven and 15 years – but also permanent or temporary residents may receive a deportation order – the validity of which will not be less than ten years or greater than 15–. Despite the expulsion, Israeli citizens will retain their citizenship.

Both the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office have expressed their concern about the text, since those expelled will be sent to the Gaza Strip or other destinations, depending on the circumstances, according to the aforementioned newspaper.