AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Israeli parliament has passed a law that bars Israeli settlers from extending citizenship or even residency to Palestinian spouses from the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip, forcing thousands of Palestinian families to either emigrate or live apart.
The so-called citizenship law passed late on Thursday just before the Knesset disbanded for a holiday recess by a 45-15 majority vote. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Yamina party allied with right-wing factions in the opposition to pass the legislation.
Dozens of lawmakers in the 120-seat chamber did not cast votes on the highly divisive legislation.
The Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law replaced a similar temporary order that was first enacted during the height of a Palestinian uprising in 2003 and was renewed annually until it expired last July because it did not have the support of left-wing and Arab members of the governing coalition.
Israeli interior minister Ayelet Shaked took measures to prevent family unification during the several months when the law languished while campaigning for its renewal.
Proponents say the law helps ensure Israel’s security and maintains its “Jewish character”.
Critics say the law discriminates against the 21 percent Palestinian minority – who are Palestinian by heritage and Israeli by citizenship – by barring them from extending citizenship and permanent residency rights to Palestinian spouses.
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12 March 2022 - 06:51
News ID: 1238318
The Israeli parliament has passed a law that bars Israeli settlers from extending citizenship or even residency to Palestinian spouses from the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip, forcing thousands of Palestinian families to either emigrate or live apart.
