The bitter irony here is that such a law would be almost an exact replica of the Nazi law of 1935 stripping Jews of their German citizenship.
International Middle East Media Center
January 10, 2007
Israeli Knesset passes law to revoke citizenship of ‘unpatriotic’ Israelisby Saed Bannoura
A new law passed Wednesday will allow the Israeli government to revoke the citizenship of citizens considered unpatriotic to the Jewish state of Israel. The law is expected to be applied especially to the 20% of Israeli citizens who are of Palestinian origin.
Passage of the controversial law comes just as a torrent of criticism was launched by Knesset member Ahmed Tibi against the Knesset for alleged discrimination against its Arab members. Tibi accused the Knesset of discriminatory practices, in which Arab members are required to ask permission, even to use the bathroom, while Jewish members of the Knesset are not.
The new law, passed despite a recommendation against it by the Israeli Attorney General, allows for the deportation and revocation of citizenship of Israelis for a wide range of offenses, including visiting enemy nations and encouraging terror against Israel, with the latter being so open to interpretation that many Palestinians with Israeli citizenship fear that simply being Palestinian will be reason enough for Israeli officials to revoke their citizenship.The Israeli Attorney General called the law, a drastic and extreme move that harms civil liberties. He also stated that the new law violates international law.
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January 30, 2007 at 10:58 pm |
As distasteful as I find this story, I think it is more of a political one than a question of human rights as the Israeli Supreme Court would almost assuredly find any application of this law illegal.
January 31, 2007 at 12:12 am |
It remains to be seen whether this law will actually be applied. I certainly hope not. But then why pass such a law in the first place? Surely not with the misguided notion that this will somehow act as a deterrent to any anti-Israel activities. If that were the intention, then I’m afraid it will backfire and act merely as another divisive tactic against the civil liberties/human rights of Palestinians.
January 31, 2007 at 2:01 am |
This law hasn’t been passed yet. It only made it out of committee a couple of days before the date on your story. Here’s the article on it from the 7th of January. It will be disgusting though if the Knesset does pass this.
January 31, 2007 at 2:54 am |
Robert, I was under the mistaken impression that the law was already passed. Thanks for setting me straight and the article link. I just read it. Indeed, it will be disgusting if the Knesset passes it.