JERUSALEM, (AP) Israel's parliament will vote Monday whether to renew a temporary law that was first enacted 2003 and which bars Arab citizens from extending citizenship or residency to their spouses in the occupied West Bank or Gaza.Critics include many left-leaning and Arab legislators who claim it is a racist measure that restricts Israel's Arab population growth. Supporters, however, argue it's necessary for security and to protect Israel's Jewish identity.This law creates problems for Palestinian families and spans the war-drawn frontiers that separate Israel from Gaza, West Bank, and east Jerusalem.The law is supported by Israel's dominant right-wing parties. It has been renewed each year since its inception. The new Israeli government is composed of opponents to the measure. However, the right-wing opposition led former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to discredit the government by claiming it won't be able to provide the votes necessary to renew the law.The vote will take place on Monday night.In 2003, during the height of the second intifada (or uprising), the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law became a temporary measure. It was created to protect Israeli citizens from being hounded by Palestinian terrorists. Proponents claimed that Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank or Gaza were vulnerable to being recruited by armed groups, and that security vetting was not sufficient.Even though the 2005 uprising was over, the law was renewed and the attacks decreased in number. Today, Israel allows over 100,000 Palestinian workers from West Bank to enter Israel on a regular basis.It was passed during the intifada. Now we are in a very other period in time," Yuval Shany (a legal expert at Israel Democracy Institute) said. He said that attacks are far less frequent and Israel has greatly improved its technology to monitor Palestinians who arrive. At this moment, I don't think the security argument holds water.Continue the storyArab citizens are limited in their options for bringing their spouses from Gaza and West Bank into Israel because of this law. This policy has an impact on thousands of families.Female spouses over 35 years old and male spouses over 25 can apply for the equivalent to a tourist permit. These permits must be renewed regularly. Holders of such permits are not eligible for driver's licenses or public health insurance. They also cannot be employed in any form. Since the militant Hamas group took power in 2007, all Palestinian spouses living in Gaza are banned.This law is not applicable to the approximately 500,000 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank. They have full Israeli citizenship. Israel's Law of Return allows Jews to apply for citizenship if they come from any part of the world.The 20% Arab population of Israel is closely related to Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza Strip. They also identify with the cause. Arab citizens see discrimination as one of the many forms they face in a country which legally defines itself as a Jewish nation state.This law views every Palestinian as an enemy, and as a threat just because he is of his ethnic or national origin," Sawsan Zaher, a lawyer for Adalah, an Arab rights organization that challenged the law in court. "The political message is extremely racist and very dangerous.Palestinians who cannot get permits, but attempt to live with their spouses in Israel, are at risk of being deported. Couples who move to the West Bank are subject to Israeli military occupation. Their children born in West Bank would be subject to the same law that prohibits spouses from entering Israel. However, there is an exception for minors.Although such marriages are rare, the citizenship law applies to Jewish Israelis who marry Palestinians.Human Rights Watch pointed out the law in a report released earlier this year, which referred to widespread discrimination that Palestinians face both in Israel and the territories it holds. This was in response to apartheid-like practices.Israel denies these allegations and claims that Arab and Jewish citizens are equal in rights. According to it, the controversial 2018 law that defines Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people merely acknowledges Israel's character but does not violate individual rights.Arab citizens are entitled to vote and the new government includes an Arab faction that is opposed to the citizenship laws.However, even though Benny Gantz (defense minister) is a political centrist and urged the opposition recently to support the law for security reasons, he also raised demographic concerns.This law is vital for protecting the country's security, Jewish and democratic character, Gantz stated in a statement. We put Israel first, even in difficult political times.
