Shas seeks authority to strip Israelis of citizenship

Interior Minister and Shas Chairman Eli Yishai is planning to submit an amendment to the basic citizenship law which would give him the authority to strip Israelis of their citizenship at his discretion, without the authorization of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz or the courts.

About a month ago, Yishai began the process of stripping the citizenship from four Israeli Arabs who left Israel decades ago.

Information provided to Yishai by National Immigration Authority head Yaakov Ganot suggested that the four in question were directly or indirectly involved in anti-Israel activity while residing in enemy states. Today, decades later, the four have asked to return to Israel.

A bill, to be submitted independently by Shas MK David Azoulay, would allow the state to strip former MK Azmi Bishara of his citizenship. Bishara is suspected of security violations, including providing assistance to the enemy in time of war, passing information to an enemy and contacts with a foreign agent.

The authority to strip Israelis of their citizenship has been granted to interior ministers in the past, but when the MK Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) held the post, the authority was transferred to the hands of the attorney general and the justice system.

Bishara's former party Balad voiced outrage at Shas' planned legislation. Balad Chairman Jamal Zahalka said that the legislation was a "racist and anti-democratic" initiative. "The aim to strip the citizenship of Arabs, and there is no intention to strip Jews of their citizenship, not even [Yitzhak Rabin killer] Yigal Amir."

"Yishai wants to circumvent judicial supervision and take into his own hands the authority to commit racist vengeance," Zahalka added. "Stripping of citizenship is forbidden outright by international law, and any country that violates this law is a criminal country. Liebermanism is taking over every part of the government, including Shas," he continued, referring to legislation promoted by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman which Israeli Arabs have described as racist and fascist.

MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am-Ta'al) also issued a statement, saying that a "Bad racist wind is blowing over Israel ? in the streets, in the Knesset and in the cabinet."

"Racism has long ago become a part of the mainstream," he added.