Arab politician Ahmad Tibi stated that the bill, which was supported by Jewish politicians, including the opposition, was racist because it pertains only to Palestinians convicted of violence.
The Israeli parliament has passed legislation that strips Arabs of their Israeli citizenship or residency if they are convicted of nationalistic attacks or if they donate money to prisoners.
Arab representatives voted against the legislation, which was approved by the hard-right coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many opposition politicians by a vote of 94 to 10.
It authorizes authorities to revoke citizenship or residency and transfer individuals to the West Bank or Gaza Strip.
Arab politicians and Palestinian officials in the occupied West Bank condemned the decision. Which could impact hundreds of Palestinian citizens and residents of Israel, as racist.
After months of West Bank raids and Palestinian attacks on Israelis, the choice was made.
Since its inception, the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority (PA) has given financial assistance to the families of Palestinians slain or imprisoned for attacks against Israel.
The PA sees these contributions as aid for needy families and prisoners as heroes.
Israel, however, claims they encourage violence.
According to the Israeli rights organization HaMoked, Israel imprisons approximately 4,700 Palestinians for claimed security violations.
360 of them are Israeli citizens or residents of east Jerusalem. Which Israel seized and annexed in the 1967 Six-Day War.
In some areas of the West Bank, the PA has limited authority, while Israel maintains overall control. The Gaza Strip is under the authority of the militant organization Hamas and is largely sealed off by an Israeli-Egyptian blockade.
Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, but the international community does not acknowledge its eastern annexation.
The majority of Palestinians in Jerusalem have Israeli residency rights, allowing them to work, move freely, and access Israeli social services, but not full citizenship, which would enable them to vote.
Arabs who perpetrate crimes are conditional citizens.
Jewish politicians, including the opposition, supported the measure, whereas Arab representatives opposed it.
Arab politician Ahmad Tibi deemed the bill to be racist because it pertains only to Palestinians convicted of violence.
“An Arab who performs an offense is a conditional citizen,” he stated.
“They would not even consider revoking a Jew’s naturalization if he committed the same or a more severe offense.”
The legislation could affect 140 Arab citizens and 211 Jerusalem residents, according to HaMoked.
It noted that because east Jerusalem is deemed occupied territory, a population transfer would violate international humanitarian law.
The executive director of HaMoked, Jessica Montell, stated, “It’s a disgrace that this legislation was approved. And with the overwhelming support of the opposition as well.”
