OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Israel has been working on a plan to expel about 450 Palestinian prisoners from East Jerusalem and 1948 Occupied Palestine to Palestinian Authority areas, citing alleged ties to terrorism, according to the Israeli army radio.
“Israel is on the verge of deporting hundreds of Israeli Arabs and residents of East Jerusalem, who have been convicted of terrorism, to the Palestinian Authority territories”, it said on Thursday.
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, the Knesset members Amit Halevy and Ofir Katz handed over to the Israeli Interior Minister, Moshe Arbel, information about a report, prepared by the Israeli intelligence, listing the names and information of 450 Palestinian prisoners who hold Israeli citizenship and receive salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The PA salary is usually paid to the families of prisoners by the Palestinian government during the time of arrest and it continues to be paid after release if the prisoner is sentenced to more than 5 years.
Halevy told Israel Hayom, “The report provides a green light for the enforcement of the citizenship deprivation law. The principle is simple and clear: either a citizen of the state or an enemy of the state”, he said.
The Knesset member added, “Everyone who receives funding from the Palestinian Authority will be deported to Ramallah, his citizenship or residency will be revoked, and he will stop receiving the bundle of rights and money obtained from tax money of the Israelis he killed or wounded.”
For its part, Hamas Movement warned against the Israeli plan, stressing that it is racist and aimed at forced displacement of Palestinians from their own land.
In a press statement, Hamas called on the UN and international human rights organizations “to take decisive measures to confront the Israeli occupation plan to forcibly deport hundreds of Palestinians out of their homes and towns, to prevent the Israeli crime of ethnic cleansing, and to hold its fascist leaders accountable for their ongoing crimes against our people, land, and sanctities.”
