JERUSALEM/DUBLIN: Israel’s parliament passed legislation on Thursday that could see relatives of people accused of “terror” attacks expelled from the country, possibly to the conflict-stricken Gaza Strip, prompting concern from Arab minority rights activists.

The legislation authorises the interior minister to deport first-degree relatives for up to 20 years “if they knew in advance of plans to carry out terror attacks but did not do everything possible to prevent the attacks”.

Far-right politicians have been pushing for this legislation for years believing it will deter Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of annexed east Jerusalem from carrying out attacks against Israelis.

Adalah, an advocacy group for Arab minority rights in Israel, called the new law “a dangerous escalation in Israel’s legislative crackdown on Palestinian rights, framed under the guise of counterterrorism”. “These measures enable the state to collectively punish Palestinians by authorising the deportation of entire families,” it said in a statement.

Ireland to join South Africa’s genocide case at The Hague

The law, brought by lawmaker Almog Cohen, does not specify where the people would be sent, but a spokesman for the far-right politician said the expulsions would be to Gaza, where Israel is at conflict with Hamas. The interior minister will also have the authority to expel family members who express support for the attack or publish words of praise or encouragement for the act or for any resistance group said to be behind it.

Under the new legislation, Israeli citizens can be expelled for a minimum of seven years and up to 15, while permanent of temporary residents — like many Palestinians in east Jerusalem — could be deported for between 10 and 20 years.

National Security Minister Itamar

Ben Gvir hailed the legislation as a “decisive pillar in our fight against terrorism”. He said in a statement that it “sends a clear mes­sage” to the “families of perpetrators”.

“From today, every father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister or spouse who identifies with and supports a family member who harmed citizens of Israel will be deported,” Ben Gvir added.

Suhad Bishara, legal director of rights group Adalah, said the organisation planned to fight the law either through Israel’s Supreme Court, arguing it was unconstitutional, or on an individual basis as cases arise. “This law is very problematic,” she said.

ICJ genocide case

Ireland intends to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice before the end of the year, its foreign minister said on Thursday. Micheal Martin’s comments came as the Irish parliament passed a non-binding motion agreeing that “genocide is being perpetrated before our eyes by Israel in Gaza”.

South Africa in December brought a case before the ICJ, arguing that the conflict in Gaza breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, an accusation Israel has strongly denied.

Several nations have added their weight to the proceedings, including Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, Turkiye, Chile and Libya. Ireland had said it would file a submission to the court once South Africa had submitted a document supporting its claims, which it did on Monday.

“The government’s decision to intervene in the South African case was based on detailed and rigorous legal analysis,” Martin told lawmakers in the Irish parliament, the Dail. “Ireland is a strong supporter of the work of the court and is deeply committed to international law and accountability.”

South Africa announced on Monday that it had filed a so-called memorial with the ICJ claiming “evidence” of a “genocide” committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip. The document cannot be made public but was “over 750 pages of text, supported by exhibits and annexes of over 4,000 pages”, said the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024