Ministers approve bill revoking spies' citizenship

The Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs approved Sunday a bill initiated by MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beiteinu) according to which courts or administrative authorities will have the power to revoke the Israeli citizenship or resident status of a person who engaged in espionage on behalf of a terrorist organization. The revocation will be made in coordination with the Justice Ministry.

The bill is aimed at deterring Israeli citizens or residents from assisting or being members in terrorist organizations, including directly or indirectly facilitating terrorist activities against the State of Israel. A person found guilty of such crimes would be denied state-sponsored allowances, benefits, support, salary or financial aid.

The bill was drafted on the backdrop of the recent involvement of Israeli citizens in espionage against Israel. MK Rotem said that the bill illustrates the unbreakable nature of the connection between the right for Israeli citizenship and loyalty to the State.

The bill was first proposed after former Balad Chairman Azmi Bishara escaped Israel after being interrogated about providing Hezbollah with information during the Second Lebanon War. An indictment against him was never filed and Bishara has repeatedly slammed Israeli policy in the media since his escape.

Last September the High Court of Justice ruled that Bishara would continue to receive the monthly benefits he is entitled as a former MK.

Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish and judges Miriam Naor and Edna Arbel rejected a motion filed by MK Danny Danon seeking to revoke Bishara's citizenship. The judges ruled that the constitutional procedure has not yet been completed preventing them from intervening at that stage.