BREAKING NEWS

Sa'ar expresses support for extension of citizenship law

Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar Sunday expressed his support for extending the citizenship law by a year.
The Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law was first passed as a temporary order in 2003, and has since been extended several times. The law places restrictions on the automatic granting of Israeli citizenship and residency permits to spouses of Israeli citizens. Spouses who are inhabitants of the West Bank are ineligible. This month the High Court decided to extend the law.
During the cabinet meeting Sa'ar said: "As long as Israel is in a state of national conflict with the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza, there is no reason why its policy concerning entry into Israeli territory as part of family reunification should be the same as the policy for English or Italian citizens."
Sa'ar added, "there is a security consideration due to the proven involvement in terror attacks, of Palestinians who have entered Israel through the framework of family unification."
"Israeli citizens' right to life is not inferior to Palestinian right to family reunification inside Israel," the minister stated.