""Get out, start packing": Law to deport terrorist families finally approved

November 7, 2024   

The Knesset approved last night (Thursday) in second and third reading the law to deport family members of terrorists, if they knew in advance about the plan to carry out an attack or supported the act. 61 Knesset members supported the proposal, and 41 opposed. The law was initiated by Knesset members Hanoch Milvitsky, Eliyahu Revivo and Almog Cohen. Minister Ben Gvir and MK Almog Cohen waved to the Arab MKs immediately after the law was approved: "Out, Get started pack".  According to the approved law, the Minister of the Interior will be entitled to order the deportation of a family member of a terrorist after a hearing, if the family member knew in advance of the intention to commit a terrorist act and did not make all the necessary efforts to prevent it. In addition, the Minister will be entitled to order deportation if the family member expressed support or identification with the terrorist act, or published words of praise, sympathy or encouragement for a terrorist act or a terrorist organization. It was determined that the validity of the deportation order with regard to an Israeli citizen will not be less than seven years and will not exceed fifteen years. And with regard to a permanent or temporary resident - the validity will not be less than ten years and will not exceed twenty years. The explanatory notes to the proposal state: "In recent years, and particularly after the start of the Iron Sword War, which broke out following the terrorist attack that began on October 7, 2023, there have been an increase in cases in which citizens and permanent residents of Israel incite terrorism, whether by publishing direct calls to commit terrorist acts or by publishing words of praise, sympathy or encouragement for these acts, support for them or identification with them.".  

""Outside, start packing" • Minister Ben Gvir and MK Almog Cohen wave to the Arab MKs immediately after the approval of the Terrorist Deportation Law, tonight in the Knesset. pic.twitter.com/8uX35gAMdh

— Holding back the years (@DvachEster49265) November 7, 2024

Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir: "This is a historic and important day for all citizens of Israel. The passage of the law constitutes another decisive step in our fight against terrorism and sends a clear message - the State of Israel will not allow the families of the perpetrators to continue enjoying life as if nothing had happened. From today, every father, mother, boy, girl, brother, sister or spouse who identifies with and supports their family member who harmed the citizens of Israel will be deported! Congratulations to MK Almog Cohen for submitting and leading the Otzma Yehudit law." MK Almog Cohen, one of the initiators of the law, congratulated: "History! We have now passed the "Deportation of Terrorist Families" law in the Knesset plenary, and it has entered the law book of the State of Israel. This law is a significant and aggressive tool for creating a formidable deterrent balance and will reduce terrorism. Every damned terrorist should know that the fate of his family is in our hands. Every terrorist family that supports terrorism will be deported from the state with contempt and humiliation. We will continue to fight terror with determination. I thank Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his mobilization for the passage of this important law." MK Eliyahu Revivo of the Likud: "This is a clear and strong 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 terrorist families live peacefully and encourage terror. They must understand that their actions will have serious consequences.".