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Family unification

Basel al-Qur'an, a temporary resident of Israel who was deported to Gaza after serving out a jail sentence for traffic violations, takes a selfie in Rafah on March 5, 2025. (Courtesy)
March 21, 2025, 8:01 am
Palestinian deported back to Gaza after decades in Israel, leaving family behind
Gaza-born Basel al-Qur’an fears for his life after being sent to Strip following multiple criminal convictions; Israeli family begs IDF, Red Cross for his return
By Charlie Summers
Palestinians and Arab Israelis protest against the 2003 Citizenship and Entry Law into Israel, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 6, 2023, 10:34 am
Knesset extends law banning Palestinian family unification for another year
So-called Citizenship Law, passed in 2003 at height of the Second Intifada, introduced as a temporary security measure but since renewed annually
By ToI Staff and Carrie Keller-Lynn
People hold a protest against the 'Citizenship Law' outside the Knesset, on June 29, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 10, 2022, 11:37 pm
After coalition battle, Knesset reauthorizes ban on Palestinian family unification
Leftist Meretz, Islamist Ra’am oppose, but right-wing opposition backs law; authorities did not grant residency to most Palestinians who applied after ban expired in July
By Aaron Boxerman
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz speaks during a press conference about COVID-19, on December 30, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
February 5, 2022, 11:33 pm
Coalition’s Meretz warns Shaked of ‘painful response’ to Citizenship Law
Nitzan Horowitz says minister taking ‘a dangerous path’ by going over his party’s head; ‘Anyone who goes against the agreements must understand it will come at a price’
By ToI Staff
People hold a protest against the 'Citizenship Law' outside the Knesset, on June 29, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 2, 2022, 1:40 am
Cabinet, Knesset slated to vote on appeals to ‘Citizenship Law’ next week
Vowing to approve new bill, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked publishes court-mandated temporary regulations on handling applications from Palestinian spouses of Israeli citizens
By ToI Staff
Palestinians and Arab Israelis protest against the 2003 Citizenship and Entry Law into Israel, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 20, 2022, 11:42 am
Meretz seeks to scuttle bill to renew ‘Citizenship Law’ despite ministerial OK
Legislation barring Palestinians who marry Israelis from receiving residency has lapsed, with coalition attempting to bring it back; in practice; the ban is still in effect
By ToI Staff
A protest against the 'family reunification law' outside the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on June 29, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 16, 2022, 6:58 pm
In nod to opposition, ministers advance new bill to renew ‘Citizenship Law’
Legislation pushed by Simcha Rothman would once again mostly bar Palestinians married to Israelis from living in Israel; FM Lapid appeals vote, requiring full cabinet approval
By ToI Staff
A protest against the 'family reunification law' outside the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on July 5, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 9, 2022, 5:40 pm
New ‘Citizenship Law’ advances, months after ban on Palestinian spouses lapsed
Legislation pushed by Interior Minister Shaked would once again mostly bar Palestinians married to Israelis from living in Israel
By Aaron Boxerman
Defense Minister Benny Gantz (left) attends a conference in the Eshkol region, southern Israel. on July 13, 2021; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech regarding COVID-19, at the Palestinian Authority headquarters, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on May 5, 2020. (Flash90)
December 29, 2021, 10:50 am
Gantz announces series of gestures to Palestinians after meeting Abbas
Defense minister says Israel will loan NIS 100 million to PA; 9,500 undocumented Palestinians, foreign nationals to get legal status
By Aaron Boxerman and Jacob Magid
Palestinians and their spouses protest to demand West Bank residency cards in front of the PA's Civil Affairs Commission in Ramallah (courtesy: Alaa Mutair)
October 19, 2021, 2:05 pm
Israel approves residency for 4,000 Palestinians, after 10-year freeze
Move was first announced this summer as part of Defense Minister Gantz’s effort to strengthen Palestinian Authority
By Aaron Boxerman and Judah Ari Gross
Palestinians and their spouses protest to demand West Bank residency cards in front of the PA's Civil Affairs Commission in Ramallah (courtesy: Alaa Mutair)
October 11, 2021, 10:12 pm
Israel said to approve residency for hundreds of undocumented Palestinians
PA announces approvals for 442 Palestinians without legal residency in the West Bank, the first mass regularization in years; COGAT, Defense Ministry decline to comment
By Aaron Boxerman
A protest against the 'family reunification law' outside the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on July 5, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 7, 2021, 9:54 pm
Months after Citizenship Law lapses, ban on Palestinian spouses still in place
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked tells ministry to keep applying policy, originally enacted as security measure in 2003, as if amendment had never expired
By Aaron Boxerman
Palestinians and their spouses protest to demand West Bank residency cards in front of the PA's Civil Affairs Commission in Ramallah (courtesy: Alaa Mutair)
August 31, 2021, 3:19 am
Gantz announces plans to legalize thousands of undocumented Palestinian spouses
Some 5,000 families will receive family unification, a procedure long in deep freeze, as part of a first step towards resolving the issue, says senior PA official
By Aaron Boxerman
Palestinians protest in front of the Civil Affairs Commission in Ramallah on June 14, 2021 (courtesy)
August 29, 2021, 1:05 pm
Stuck in limbo, undocumented Palestinian spouses live shadow lives
Those seeking permits to reside in the West Bank face a strict Israeli system and a PA that may be burying their applications, making them prisoners in their own adopted homes
By Aaron Boxerman
A protest against the 'family reunification law' outside the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on July 5, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 6, 2021, 8:53 pm
With ban on Palestinian family unification expiring, what happens next?
The Knesset voted not to extend the controversial 2003 law, meaning thousands of Palestinians may now have a pathway to citizenship, though several hurdles remain
By Aaron Boxerman
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