In 1st, Israel to revoke citizenship and deport 2 Israelis convicted of terror charges

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that this morning he signed the revocation of citizenship and deportation orders for two Israeli terrorists who carried out stabbing and shooting attacks against Israeli civilians.

The move marks the first implementation of a February 2023 law allowing the revocation of citizenship from convicted terrorists and their deportation. Defense Minister Israel Katz and coalition whip Likud MK Ofir Katz, who initiated the law, announced last year that Israel was set to implement the law for such terrorists who are receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority, with proceedings initiated against hundreds of citizens.

In a statement announcing the move, Netanyahu says the two terrorists “were rewarded for their criminal acts by the Palestinian Authority,” and thanks MK Katz for leading the legislation “that will expel them from Israel — and many more like them are on the way.”

The two terrorists are identified as Mahmoud Ahmad — sentenced to 23 years in prison for shooting attacks against soldiers and civilians — and Mohammed Ahmad Hussein al-Halsi — sentenced in 2016 to 18 years for stabbing elderly women in Armon HaNatziv, in a statement from MK Katz cited by Ynet. Ahmad was released in 2024 and will be deported immediately, while al-Hals will be deported upon his release, the report adds.

The Walla news site reports that the two terrorists will be deported to the Gaza Strip. The Prime Minister’s Office does not immediately confirm the deportation destination.