Israel’s Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri has decided to revoke the permanent resident status of 13 members of the family of the slain Jerusalem anti-occupation activist Fadi Kunbur.
According to the Hebrew-speaking Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper the retaliatory measure targeted Kunbur’s mother and 12 relatives following consultations with the Israeli Shin Bet and the Immigration Authority.
As a result of the anti-occupation attack in which four Israeli occupation soldiers died Minwa Kunbur a permanent resident of Israel who is also in bigamous marriage contrary to Israeli law was bereaved of her permanent residency and corresponding social privileges.
Such a measure has previously never been implemented and prevents the family from appealing to the High Court of Justice as they are not considered Israeli citizens.
Minister Deri decided on the measure after discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who supported the retaliatory move.
Deri acting on information presented to him by the Shin Bet also allegedly decided on the measure as a means of deterrence against future attackers.
As a result all family members who are not citizens of Israel—including cousins nephews and aunts and uncles—will lose their permanent residency status immediately.
“This is a decision that signals a new era against terrorism and terrorists who use their status to carry out attacks against citizens” claimed Deri. “From now on there will be zero tolerance towards those who are involved in terrorism against Israel.”
“Let this be known to all who are plotting planning or considering carrying out an attack that their families will pay a heavy price for their actions and the consequences will be severe and far-reaching” he further threatened.
