The Knesset passed the law drafted by right-wing Knesset member David Rotem from the Yisrael Beiteinu party with a 37 to 10 majority. Under it, Israel has the right to revoke the citizenship of those who commit ”serious security breaches” to the government or the public.
It applies to anyone convicted of terrorism or interferes with the country's sovereignty or public safety or helps instigate war or supports the enemy during war or engages in espionage.
According to the Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, also from the Yisrael Beiteinu party, the law helps to curb ”abuse of Israel's democratic system for the purpose of undermining it.”
Arab MK Jamal Zahalka denied that the law was security-related and said that the Israeli security service Shin Bet had opposed the draft.
”It is a political, ideological, racial and fascist game to pass more laws targeting Arabs,” he said.
He pointed out that the Attorney General denied that the law would apply to Yigal Amir, a Jew who assassinated former Israeli president Yitzhak Rabin.
Zahalka added that under international law it is prohibited to revoke citizenship.
The Knesset also approved last night a law stripping former Arab MK Azmi Bishara of privileges received in his retirement plan, and stripping also the privileges of any public official suspected of involvement in ”terroristic activities”.
According to Israeli sources, the law, also proposed by David Rotem, was supported by 29 members of Knesset and opposed by only its eight Arab members.
The law was passed just days after three other racially tied laws last weekend. They include the ”Nakba law” which prohibits the commemoration of the Nakba, the ”admission committees” law, which allows town committees to racially select its residents, and another law forcing those whose homes are demolished by Israeli planning authorities to pay for the demolition and the food of the police and those who demolish the structure.
According to a report issued by the Israeli anti-racism coalition, the Knesset has discussed 24 ”racist” draft laws last year.
End item/ 129
