Alaa Ziad
Photo: Elad Gershgoren
Interior Minister Deri revokes citizenship of Umm al-Fahm terrorist
Alaa Ziad carried out a stabbing and vehicular attack near Gan Shmuel in October 2015; 'Whoever decides to carry out such acts of terrorism removes himself from among the citizenry,' judge writes in decision.
The Haifa District Court on Sunday approved a request by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri to revoke the citizenship of Alaa Ziad of Umm al-Fahm, who carried out a stabbing and vehicular attack near Gan Shmuel in October 2015.
The court determined Ziad will be given temporary status, which will be extended at the discretion of the interior minister, subject to Israel's law of citizenship.
Ziad will be able to appeal the decision, however, a failure to win the appeal means his citizenship will be revoked in October 2017.
Alaa Ziad (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)
"Revoking Ziad's citizenship constitutes a proper and proportionate measure," wrote Judge Avraham Elyakim in his decision.
"In addition to one's rights, every citizens has obligations, one of which is a significant and important obligation—allegiance to the state—which is also expressed in the obligation not to carry out terror activities in order to harm the state's residents and its security."
Justice Elyakim went on to write that "Israeli citizens should not be allowed to harm the lives and dignity of other Israeli citizens. Whoever decides to carry out such acts of terrorism removes himself from among the citizenry. Ziad took advantage of the freedom of movement to undermine the security of the state and the peace of its residents and sought to terrorize others and take human lives."
Ziad drove his car into a bus stop on Route 65 near Gan Shmuel on October 11, 2015, seriously wounding IDF soldier Orel Azuri and another soldier. He then exited the car and stabbed Azuri and two others before being captured.
At court, the terrorist claimed he did not intend to carry out a terror attack and merely lost control of his vehicle. "I didn't do anything. They want to make me into a terrorist. I don't know what they want from me. I'm not a terrorist," he claimed.
Ziad was sentenced to 25 years in prison last June.
