Thu Nov 07 10:35:21 UTC 2024: ## Israel Passes Controversial Law Allowing Deportation of Families of “Terrorists”

**Jerusalem, October 29, 2024** – The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has approved a highly controversial law that grants the government the power to deport family members of alleged “terrorists”, including Israeli citizens, to the Gaza Strip or other locations.

The legislation, sponsored by Likud party politician Hanoch Milwidsky, passed with 61 votes in favor and 41 against. It allows the Interior Minister to deport parents, siblings, or spouses of individuals accused of terrorism if they are deemed to have “expressed support or identification” with the attacker or failed to report information about “an act of terrorism or a terrorist organization”. This applies to Palestinian citizens of Israel, residents of occupied East Jerusalem, and even Israeli citizens, who would retain their citizenship despite being expelled.

The law has drawn immediate criticism from legal experts and human rights groups. Eran Shamir-Borer, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, believes the law is “completely non-constitutional” and conflicts with Israel’s core values. He predicts that the law, if challenged in court, will be struck down by the Supreme Court.

The law has been praised by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who views it as a tool to deter potential attacks. He has stated that anyone who publicly supports or mourns a relative who carried out an attack will be deported.

The legislation comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups. Israeli military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians since October 7, 2023.

This new law is just the latest in a series of controversial measures adopted by the Knesset in recent days. Earlier this week, lawmakers approved a ban on the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), accusing it of harboring terrorists.

Critics argue that the deportation law and the UNRWA ban are part of a broader crackdown on Palestinian rights and freedoms, a trend that risks exacerbating tensions in the region.

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