Israel’s Knesset has passed a new law enabling the deportation of family members of Palestinian attackers, including Israeli citizens, to Gaza or other areas. The law was passed with a 61-41 vote early Thursday and was promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party along with far-right allies.
Under the law, Israel’s interior minister now has the authority to deport relatives of individuals who commit terrorist acts if there is evidence they knew of the attacks in advance but failed to report them, or if they expressed support for the acts. Family members who publicly show support or sympathy for terrorism could also be subject to deportation for terms between seven and twenty years. This legislation is the latest security measure enacted amid ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas, with thousands killed and significant displacement in Gaza.
Legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of the new law, noting potential conflicts with Israel’s foundational legal principles. Eran Shamir-Borer, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, remarked that Israeli courts are likely to challenge the law as a violation of democratic standards and human rights protections. He called the law “nonconstitutional,” suggesting that it contradicts Israel’s democratic principles.
The law’s territorial reach remains uncertain, as its application in the West Bank has not been specified. In this region, Israel already implements home demolitions for attackers’ families as a punitive measure, though deportation policies have not been practiced there previously. Palestinian residents make up approximately 20% of Israel’s population, and many have strong familial and cultural ties to Palestinian territories, often showing support for the broader Palestinian cause.
With rising tension and violence in the region, the law is likely to face significant legal and public opposition.
