Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a court to revoke the citizenship of two Palestinian men convicted of terrorism-related offenses. This action marks the first application of a law enacted in 2020 that permits the revocation of citizenship and deportation of Palestinian citizens convicted of certain violent crimes, including terrorism, particularly when they have received financial incentives from the Palestinian Authority.
The court documents filed by Netanyahu argue that the gravity of the offenses committed by the individuals, coupled with the payments allegedly received from a Palestinian Authority fund, warrant the revocation of their citizenship and subsequent expulsion from Israel. The Prime Minister has consistently claimed that these funds reward acts of violence, including attacks against civilians.
Details of the Convictions
The first individual, Mohamad Ahmad, a resident of Jerusalem, was convicted of terrorism-related offenses and reportedly received funds linked to his conviction. He was sentenced in 2002 for a shooting attack and served 23 years in prison before his release in 2024. The second individual, Mohammed Ahmad Hussein al-Halsi, received an 18-year sentence in 2016 for stabbing elderly women and is also alleged to have received payments while incarcerated. Under the provisions of the 2020 law, Ahmad would be deported immediately, while al-Halsi would face deportation to Gaza after completing his sentence.
The law, which applies to both citizens and permanent residents convicted of acts deemed to breach loyalty to the state, has drawn significant criticism. Opponents argue that it creates a legal framework that treats Jewish and Palestinian citizens differently. Critics maintain that this legislation unfairly targets Palestinians while excluding Jewish Israelis, including settlers convicted of violent acts against Palestinians, from facing similar consequences.
Reactions from Palestinian Officials and Human Rights Advocates
Palestinian officials have described the funds as a necessary safety net for individuals and families affected by Israeli detentions. They accuse Netanyahu of selectively highlighting a small subset of beneficiaries who have committed violent acts, thus distorting the broader context of the payments.
In response to Netanyahu’s court filing, Hassan Jabareen, the general director of Israel’s Adalah Legal Center, called the move “a cynical propaganda move.” He emphasized that stripping individuals of their citizenship undermines fundamental principles of the rule of law, particularly for those who have completed their sentences. Jabareen stated, “The Israeli government is attempting to strip individuals of the very foundation through which all rights are protected, their nationality.”
As legal proceedings unfold, Netanyahu has indicated that similar cases will be pursued in the future. The implications of this legal action extend beyond individual cases, raising broader questions about citizenship rights, national identity, and the legal treatment of different communities within Israel.
