In nod to opposition, ministers advance new bill to renew ‘Citizenship Law’

Cabinet ministers give first-stage approval to an opposition-sponsored bill that would reinstate a decree barring Palestinians who marry Israelis from receiving permits to live with their spouses in Israel, a week after a near-identical government-sponsored bill was given similar approval, and months after an earlier ban expired following a dramatic coalition fight.

The bill — widely referred to as the “Citizenship Law” — passes a vote in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, which allows it to be fast-tracked through the legislative process. From there, the bill goes to the Knesset, where it must still pass three votes before becoming law.

Today’s bill was submitted by opposition MK Simcha Rotman (Religious Zionism), and is nearly identical to the legislation sponsored by the government last week.

However, the government version of the bill is unlikely to progress further in the Knesset, as right-wing opposition lawmakers have been voting against coalition proposals even if they are aligned with their policies.

Seven ministers vote in favor of the bill. Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg, Energy Minister Karine Elharrar and Social Equality Minister Meirav Cohen vote against it; Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai abstains.