Knesset passes law allowing deportation of terrorists’ families

The Knesset plenum approved the second and third readings of the Deportation of Terrorists' Families Bill, 5775-2024, by MKs Hanoch Malvitsky, Eliyahu Revivo, Almog Cohen and a group of other Knesset members.

61 Knesset members supported the proposal, against 41 opposed. The bill stipulates that the Minister of the Interior will be entitled to order - after holding a hearing - the deportation of family members of a terrorist, if they knew in advance about their family member's plan to commit an act of terrorism and did not make all the necessary efforts to prevent the act of terrorism.

Alternatively, the law stipulates that the Minister of the Interior may order the deportation of that family member even if he expressed support or identification with the act of terrorism or if he published words of praise, sympathy or encouragement for an act of terrorism or a terrorist organization.

In addition, the validity of the deportation order regarding an Israeli citizen shall not be less than 7 years and not more than 15 years. In the case of a permanent or temporary resident – the deportation order shall not be less than 10 years and not more than 20 years.

MK Revivo noted that the law constitutes another layer in the national struggle against terrorism and provides the defense establishment with tools to deal with domestic and external terrorist threats. "This is a clear and sharp message to anyone who seeks to harm the security of the State of Israel and the lives of its citizens - we will not allow a reality in which the families of terrorists live peacefully and encourage terror. They must understand that their actions will have serious consequences."

* Channel 14 contributed to this article.