The Knesset plenum approved, in the early hours of Thursday morning, the second and third readings of a law allowing the deportation of families of terrorists. The legislation was proposed by MKs Hanoch Milwidsky (Likud), Eliyahu Revivo (Likud), and Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit).
A total of 61 MKs voted in favor of the legislation, while 41 voted against it.
The law stipulates that the Minister of the Interior may order the deportation of a family member of a terrorist, following a hearing, if it is proven that the family member knew in advance of their relative’s intention to commit an act of terrorism and made no efforts to prevent it.
Additionally, a family member may be deported if they expressed support for or identified with the act, or if they published words of praise or encouragement for a terrorist act or a terrorist organization.
The validity of the deportation order for an Israeli citizen shall be no less than seven years and no more than 15 years. For a permanent or temporary resident, the validity shall be no less than 10 years and no more than 20 years.
The explanatory notes to the bill state: “In recent years, and particularly since the beginning of the Swords of Iron war, which erupted following the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, there has been an increase in cases where citizens and permanent residents in Israel incite terrorism. This includes publishing direct calls to commit terrorist acts or words of praise, sympathy, or encouragement for such acts, supporting them, or identifying with them.”
The notes further explain that “studies conducted over the years, both by the National Security Council and the IDF, related to dozens of terrorists with Israeli citizenship, reveal that the terrorists’ primary concern was the potential repercussions for their families after an attack. There is no doubt that many terrorists will refrain from carrying out an attack if they know that their families will face consequences as a result.”
{Matzav.com}