Israel to begin deporting citizens convicted of terrorism who receive payments from Palestinian Authority

Israel is set for the first time to deport citizens convicted of terrorism who are receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Coalition Whip Ofir Katz announce.

In a joint statement, the officials say four individuals are currently in advanced stages of the deportation process, with proceedings initiated against hundreds more.

The announcement follows a classified Knesset committee meeting earlier attended by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, where they reviewed the implementation of a February 2023 law allowing the revocation of citizenship from convicted terrorists and their deportation.

Defense Minister Katz says, “Terrorists and terror supporters who are citizens or residents of Israel will receive no reward for their actions,” adding that “those who choose murder and hatred will be deported and stripped of their citizenship.”

Coalition Whip Katz calls the move “a historic moment,” adding: “In the fight against terror, there are no compromises.”

The law, an amendment to Israel’s 1952 Citizenship Law, applies to both Israeli citizens and permanent residents incarcerated following a conviction for terror, aiding terror, harming Israeli sovereignty, inciting war, or aiding an enemy during wartime.

The law enables citizenship to be revoked even if the person has no other citizenship, provided they have a permanent residence status outside of Israel. Once citizenship is revoked, the person would be denied entry back into Israel.