Israel Begins Denaturalizing and Deporting Convicted Terrorists

Key Takeaways

• Israel began denaturalizing and deporting convicted terrorists on May 28, 2025, under a 2023 law amendment.
• Law targets Israeli citizens and residents receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority for terror acts.
• Family members supporting or not reporting terrorism may also face deportation under new legislation.

Israel Begins Denaturalizing and Deporting Convicted Terrorists: New Law in Action

On May 28, 2025, Israel 🇮🇱 took a major step in its fight against terrorism by starting to denaturalize and deport Israeli citizens and permanent residents convicted of terrorism—especially those who have received payments from the Palestinian Authority (PA) as rewards for their actions. This is the first time Israel is putting into practice a law passed in February 2023, after a two-year delay in enforcement. The move has sparked strong reactions from government officials, legal experts, and human rights advocates, and it is expected to have wide-ranging effects on individuals, families, and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Who Is Affected and Why Now?

The new policy applies to both Israeli citizens and permanent residents who have been convicted of terrorism or related crimes. The law specifically targets those who have received financial rewards from the PA for their actions. On May 28, 2025, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Knesset Coalition Whip Ofir Katz announced that four individuals are already in the advanced stages of deportation, and proceedings have started against hundreds more.

This announcement came after a classified Knesset committee meeting attended by Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, where officials reviewed how the law would be put into action. The government says these steps are necessary to deter terrorism and punish those who commit violent acts against the state.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated:
“Starting today, the process of revoking the citizenship and deporting Israeli terrorists will begin. Those who choose murder and hatred will be deported, their citizenship will be revoked, and they will pay the full price. We will continue to act with an iron fist against terrorism.”

How the Law Works: Key Details and Step-by-Step Process

The policy is based on an amendment to Israel’s 1952 Citizenship Law, which was passed in February 2023. The law allows the government to revoke citizenship or permanent residency from people convicted of:

• Terrorism
• Aiding terrorism
• Harming Israeli sovereignty
• Inciting war
• Helping an enemy during wartime

The law is especially focused on those who have received money from the PA for acts of terror. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this focus on financial rewards is meant to break the cycle of “pay-for-slay,” where the PA gives stipends to convicted terrorists and their families.

Step-by-Step Procedure:

1. Conviction: The person is found guilty of terrorism or a related crime in court.
2. Review: Defense and interior officials review the case, with special attention to those who have received PA payments.
3. Data Transfer: Defense bodies share information with the Interior Ministry.
4. Initiation: The Interior Ministry starts the process to revoke citizenship or residency.
   5. Deportation: If citizenship is revoked, the person is deported and not allowed to return to Israel 🇮🇱.
5. Family Deportations: Under a new law, family members (parents, siblings, spouses) may also be deported if they supported or failed to report the terrorist act.

Important: Citizenship can be revoked even if the person has no other citizenship, as long as they have permanent residence outside Israel 🇮🇱.

What Happens After Deportation?

Once a person’s citizenship is revoked and they are deported, they are denied re-entry into Israel 🇮🇱. This means they cannot return, even for visits. The law also allows for the deportation of family members if they are found to have supported or failed to report terrorist activity.

Recent legislation has expanded the law’s reach, allowing the government to deport family members of convicted terrorists. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir supported this move, saying, “today we passed a law deporting families of terrorists.”

Why Is This Happening Now?

The law was passed in February 2023, but enforcement was delayed for two years. The government says the delay was due to the need for better coordination between defense agencies and the Interior Ministry. On May 28, 2025, Defense Minister Katz ordered officials to speed up data sharing and start enforcing the law right away.

Knesset Coalition Whip Ofir Katz called the move “a historic moment” and said, “in the fight against terror, there are no compromises.”

Background: The Debate Over Citizenship and Terrorism

Israel 🇮🇱 has debated for years whether to revoke citizenship from people convicted of terrorism. The February 2023 amendment to the 1952 Citizenship Law created the first clear legal framework for doing so. The main reason for the law is the PA’s policy of paying stipends to convicted terrorists and their families. Israeli officials argue that these payments encourage terrorism and must be stopped.

The law’s expansion to include family members is new and controversial. Supporters say it is needed to stop families from supporting or hiding terrorist acts. Critics argue that punishing family members for the actions of one person is unfair and may violate basic rights.

Who Supports the Policy—and Who Opposes It?

Supporters:
Government officials, including Defense Minister Katz and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, say the policy is a strong deterrent against terrorism. They argue that people who commit acts of terror, especially for financial gain, should lose their right to live in Israel 🇮🇱. Supporters also believe that deporting family members will make it harder for terrorists to find support.

Critics:
Human rights advocates and legal scholars warn that the law’s broad definitions and the idea of collective punishment (deporting family members) may violate Israel’s 🇮🇱 own constitution and international law. Eran Shamir-Borer of the Israel Democracy Institute predicts that the Supreme Court may strike down the law, calling it “completely nonconstitutional and a clear conflict to Israel’s core values.”

Critics also worry that the law could be used too broadly, affecting people who were not directly involved in terrorism but are related to someone who was. They say this could lead to abuses and harm innocent people.

International Context: How Does Israel’s Policy Compare?

Other countries have also taken steps to denaturalize and deport people convicted of terrorism. For example, the United States 🇺🇸 has deported individuals who were convicted of terrorism abroad and later lied about it during their naturalization process. One well-known case is that of Rasmieh Yousef Odeh, who was deported from the United States 🇺🇸 after it was discovered she had concealed her conviction for terrorism in Israel 🇮🇱.

However, Israel’s 🇮🇱 law is unique in its focus on PA payments and its willingness to revoke citizenship even if the person has no other citizenship, as long as they have permanent residence elsewhere. The expansion to include family members is also unusual and has drawn international attention.

Legal Challenges and Future Outlook

The law is expected to face serious challenges in Israel’s 🇮🇱 Supreme Court. Legal experts say the law may violate basic rights, such as the right to citizenship and protection from collective punishment. The Supreme Court will likely be asked to decide whether the law is constitutional and whether it goes too far in punishing not just individuals but also their families.

Despite these challenges, the government has signaled that it will move quickly to enforce the law. Hundreds of cases are already under review, and more are expected as enforcement continues.

Key Points to Watch:

• Legal Challenges: The Supreme Court’s decision will be critical in determining whether the law stands.
• Implementation: The government’s ability to process hundreds of cases quickly will test the law’s effectiveness.
• International Scrutiny: Human rights groups and foreign governments may criticize the law, especially its impact on families.

Practical Implications for Stakeholders

For Convicted Individuals:
Those found guilty of terrorism or related crimes, especially if they received PA payments, face the loss of citizenship or residency and deportation. They will not be allowed to return to Israel 🇮🇱.

For Families:
Family members who are found to have supported or failed to report terrorist acts may also be deported. This could affect parents, siblings, and spouses, even if they were not directly involved in the crime.

For the Broader Community:
The law sends a strong message that terrorism will not be tolerated and that financial incentives for such acts will be punished. However, it also raises concerns about fairness and the risk of punishing innocent people.

For Legal and Human Rights Groups:
Organizations like the Israel Democracy Institute are likely to challenge the law in court and provide legal aid to those affected. They argue that the law may violate basic rights and set a dangerous precedent.

For the Israeli Government:
Officials see the law as a key part of their counterterrorism strategy. They believe it will deter future attacks and reduce the influence of the PA’s “pay-for-slay” policy.

For the Palestinian Authority:
The law is a direct response to the PA’s policy of paying stipends to convicted terrorists and their families. It may increase tensions between Israel 🇮🇱 and the PA.

Summary Table: Key Facts

What Should Affected Individuals Do?

If you or someone you know is affected by these new laws, it is important to seek legal advice right away. Legal aid organizations, such as the Israel Democracy Institute, can provide guidance and support. You can also find official updates and procedures on the Israeli Ministry of Interior’s website.

For those facing denaturalization or deportation, understanding your rights and the steps in the process is critical. Keep records of all legal documents and communications, and consult with a lawyer who specializes in immigration and citizenship law.

Conclusion: What Comes Next?

Israel’s 🇮🇱 decision to begin denaturalizing and deporting convicted terrorists marks a major change in its approach to counterterrorism. The law’s focus on those receiving PA payments and its expansion to include family members make it one of the most far-reaching policies of its kind. Supporters believe it will deter terrorism and protect Israeli citizens. Critics warn it may violate basic rights and lead to unfair punishment of innocent people.

As the law is put into practice, the coming months will be critical. The Supreme Court’s response, the government’s ability to enforce the law fairly, and the reaction from the international community will all shape the future of Israel’s 🇮🇱 citizenship and immigration policy.

For more detailed analysis and updates on this and other immigration topics, VisaVerge.com reports that the situation is evolving quickly, and staying informed is essential for anyone affected by these changes.

Actionable Takeaways:

• If you are at risk of denaturalization or deportation, seek legal help immediately.
• Stay updated by checking official government sources and reputable news outlets.
• Understand your rights and the steps involved in the process.
• Be aware that the law may change as legal challenges move through the courts.

For official information and updates, visit the Israeli Ministry of Interior’s website.

Learn Today

Denaturalization → The legal process of revoking a person’s citizenship, often due to criminal convictions or fraud.
Permanent Resident → A non-citizen allowed to live indefinitely in a country but without full citizenship rights.
Pay-for-Slay → A policy where the Palestinian Authority pays stipends to convicted terrorists or their families.
Collective Punishment → Penalizing people for the actions of others, such as deporting families of terrorists.
Supreme Court → Israel’s highest judicial authority, responsible for constitutional and legal reviews of laws.

This Article in a Nutshell

Israel’s May 2025 enforcement of a 2023 law revoking citizenship targets terrorists receiving Palestinian Authority payments. Deportations start with four cases, signaling a strict, controversial move aimed at deterring terrorism and its financial incentives, including deporting supportive family members. Legal challenges loom, highlighting civil rights concerns.
— By VisaVerge.com