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Last update - 17:18 14/07/2008 Knesset panel okays bill to revoke terrorists' citizenship By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Interior Minister  The Knesset Internal Affairs and Environment Committee approved on Monday a bill that would enable the Interior Minister to revoke citizenship or residency of people who were convicted of offenses of abetting terrorism, membership of a terrorist organization, espionage or treason. Also on Monday, the Knesset's Labor and Welfare Committee approved a bill that would end state payments for burials in Israel or overseas of people who have carried out terrorist-related crimes. The citizenship bill, submitted a year ago by Likud MK Gilad Erdan, will now move on to the Knesset plenum for final approval. The bill renders redundant a number of similar bills submitted to the Knesset after the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. The attacks were carried out by East Jerusalem Arabs, who hold Israeli identity cards and formally enjoy unrestricted mobility in Israel. Advertisement During the citizenship bill hearing, a representative of theb Shin Bet security service demanded that revocation of citizenship should necessitate an administrative procedure only, and said that the new bill would complicate the system a great deal. Labor MK Ophir Pines-Paz told him that the demand was outrageous, and that the Shin Bet should be in the service of the state and not the other way around. The committee also determined that the Interior Ministry would be able to revoke citizenship obtained with falsified papers, pending a court order, if the person at issue had been in Israel for more than a year. This is an improvement in the status of prospective deportees, whose citizenship, to date, has been revoked en masse, pending merely the recommendations of an unofficial panel. Bill would ban payment for terrorists' burials In tandem, the bill that would end state payments for burials of people who have carried out terrorist-related crimes will now move to its first reading in the Knesset plenum. The bill was put forward by MK Gideon Saar (Likud). During the committee meeting, Saar referred to statistics from Israeli security sources showing that 10 Arab Israelis had been involved in aiding terror activities. The bill would also bar payments for the burials of Jews found to have murdered for "nationalist" [ultra-right] purposes. "Stripping benefits of Israeli citizens in the business of nationalistic crimes, and operating sanctions that strip payment for burial is likely to deter and aid Israel's struggle against terror," Saar said. Ministry of Justice representative Shai Somech approved the bill, saying the death of a terrorist should not lead to their families being given rights after the death. Committee chairman Itshac Galantee (Pensioners) said: "There is no public logic to grant benefits to a terrorist murderer and to his family". MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) voted against the bill, claiming a suicide bomber doesn't care if his family is stripped of rights in the wake of his crime. "We have seen research on the matter of house demolitions of terrorists. The stripping of burial payments doesn't constitute deterrence, doesn't punish the terrorist and is an inappropriate move," Cohen said. Related articles: Barak orders demolition of Jerusalem, yeshiva terrorists' homes On Jaffa Road, the tragedy will soon be overcome Three dead, dozens hurt in Jerusalem terror attack Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hezbollah abduction How the Lebanese militia captured two IDF reservists in 2006, illustrated in pictures. Kuntar's crimes Israeli YouTube video details the 1979 terror attack perpetrated by Samir Kuntar.   1.   revoke citizenship of israeli terrorists so 12:10  |  Ivan 14/07/08   2.   civil war 12:13  |  iVAN 14/07/08   3.   Enforce the law. 12:44  |  Jean Van Daem 14/07/08   4.   And Justice for all... 13:00  |  EVH 14/07/08   5.   Good Idea 13:07  |  ERSB 14/07/08   6.   Good Idea 13:09  |  ERSB 14/07/08   7.   Israel is way too gentle with her enemies 13:13  |  Avi 14/07/08   8.   revoke citizenship 13:20  |  mark Goldberg 14/07/08   9.   This should have been done years (or decades) ago 13:24  |  Hastaroth 14/07/08   10.   would settlers have their citizenship revoked? 13:39  |  just wondering 14/07/08   11.   # 4 EVH - I agree 14:59  |  17 14/07/08   12.   #10, no need to wonder 15:26  |  judith 14/07/08   13.   Lets See 15:36  |  Archangel 14/07/08   14.   Just wondering 15:46  |  SA 14/07/08   15.   Just wondering 15:46  |  Hastaroth 14/07/08   16.   Foreign worker in Haifa,Ivan,what on earth are you 15:49  |  Absolute Sweden 14/07/08   17.   If this is the case 15:51  |  Rachel Stevens 14/07/08   18.   Cool beans, Just make sure everyone gets a fair trial and 16:05  |  Rami 14/07/08   19.   Citizenship 16:15  |  Truth 14/07/08   20.   @2, Ivan. please start civil war and we exterminate you!! 16:43  |  vladimir 14/07/08   21.   would Abbas, Qreia, Hanyia permits revoked and expelled to Arabia 16:56  |  not wondering 14/07/08   22.   Where am I ? 17:38  |  royzer 14/07/08   23.   #10 2ND TRY just wondering 18:03  |  * BEN JABO 14/07/08   24.   another bill: Deport those convicted of terrorist felonies 18:43  |  David G 14/07/08   25.   how worried you are! 19:38  |  dvora 14/07/08   26.   sounds fair enough; if it applies EQUALLY... 04:42  |  eric 15/07/08   27.   #26 eric NM - Who gives a wrap about your thoughts 05:52  |  * BEN JABO 16/07/08   28.   # 27 my dearest ben jabo; please read and pay heed... 06:34  |  eric 17/07/08

Read & React PRISONER SWAP: Bodies of Goldwasser and Regev identified; funerals Thursday Responses: 361 'We want to remember our son as he was, not as a body' Responses: 104 Bradley Burston: The pleasure Hezbollah takes in torture Responses: 176 The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Responses: 62 Rosner's Domain Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? Talansky threatened to use a bomb - a long time ago (WTR) The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? More Headlines 03:23 After swap, Israel fears Hezbollah will escalate tensions in North 04:05 ANALYSIS / It took 2 years, but Nasrallah kept promise to free Kuntar 04:25 Regev and Goldwasser to receive military funerals Thursday 06:02 Talansky cross-examination over 'cash envelopes' to begin Thursday 01:30 Israel concerned by U.S. plans to meet with Iranian envoy 05:28 Woman who inherited Kafka writings refuses to dispel manuscripts mystery 02:17 Former MI head under investigation for disclosing state secrets 02:56 Outside the Regev home, family and neighbors share the sorrow 03:39 Barak: IDF will always work to bring the boys home 04:57 Critics: Overdose of public opinion forced 'painful' swap deal 23:06 Veteran Mideast journalist Eric Silver dies aged 73 Previous Editions Select Day 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul

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