Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a significant step by requesting a court to revoke the Israeli citizenship of two Palestinian men convicted of terrorism-related offenses. This move marks one of the first applications of a law enacted in 2020, which allows for the revocation and deportation of Palestinian citizens involved in violent crimes, particularly those receiving financial support from the Palestinian Authority.
In legal documents filed on Thursday, Netanyahu argued that the severity of the crimes committed by the two men, alongside the financial incentives they received from the Palestinian Authority, warrant the stripping of their citizenship and subsequent expulsion from Israel. He emphasized that the funds served as rewards for acts of violence, which included attacks on civilians.
Mohamad Ahmad, a resident of Jerusalem, was convicted of terrorism-related offenses and received funding linked to his past actions. He was sentenced for a shooting attack in 2002 and was released in July 2024 after serving 23 years. The second individual, Mohammed Ahmad Hussein al-Halsi, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2016 for stabbing elderly women and also allegedly received payments during his incarceration.
According to the 2020 law, individuals convicted of acts deemed disloyal to the state, including terrorism, face deportation upon release. Ahmad would be deported immediately, while al-Halsi would be removed upon the completion of his sentence. Critics have raised concerns over the implications of this law, arguing it creates a legal framework that discriminates against Palestinian citizens in comparison to Jewish citizens.
The Adalah legal center, a prominent civil rights organization in Israel, condemned Netanyahu’s actions as a “cynical propaganda move.” Its general director, Hassan Jabareen, stated that the stripping of citizenship undermines fundamental principles of the rule of law. He emphasized that targeting individuals who have completed their sentences violates their rights and the very foundation of nationality, which protects those rights.
Palestinian officials have countered Netanyahu’s claims, asserting that the financial support from the Palestinian Authority acts as a safety net for families affected by the Israeli detention system. They argue that the Prime Minister is selectively focusing on a small group of beneficiaries while ignoring the broader context of societal impact.
As Netanyahu’s government pursues these legal proceedings, he indicated that similar cases would be forthcoming. This development has reignited discussions about the fairness of Israel’s legal system and its treatment of different communities within the country, particularly in light of accusations that it enshrines a discriminatory approach toward Palestinian citizens.
The ongoing situation underscores the complexities surrounding citizenship, national identity, and the legal ramifications of violent acts in a region marked by longstanding tensions.
