Interior Minister Gideon Saar Initiates Citizenship Revocation for Terror Convict
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Interior Minister Gideon Saar has begun the process to revoke the Israeli citizenship of Ziad Mahmoud Aref Jabarin, who was convicted in 2004 for aiding terrorism and sentenced to 20 years. Jabarin is accused of purchasing weapons for Fatah operatives and assisting in a suicide bombing plot. The revocation is also based on Jabarin receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority. Saar, who also holds the Foreign Ministry portfolio, made the decision based on the Citizenship Law.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Interior Minister Gideon Saar is revoking citizenship from Ziad Mahmoud Aref Jabarin for aiding terrorism.
- Jabarin was convicted in 2004 for purchasing weapons and assisting a suicide bombing plot.
- The revocation is also due to Jabarin receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority.
- The decision is based on Article 11 of the 1952 Citizenship Law.
- Saar also serves as Foreign Minister and holds the Interior post temporarily.
- Jabarin was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crimes.
Interior Minister Gideon Saar announced on Thursday, November 12, the initiation of procedures to revoke the Israeli citizenship of Ziad Mahmoud Aref Jabarin, a resident of Umm el-Fahm convicted of aiding the enemy during wartime and receiving payments from the Palestinian Authority. Saar, who also serves as Foreign Minister, has notified Jabarin of his intention to petition the Administrative Affairs Court to cancel his citizenship. The decision is based on Article 11 of the 1952 Citizenship Law, which permits the Interior Minister to seek the revocation of citizenship for individuals convicted of terrorist offenses, who have served prison time, and are receiving payments linked to terrorist activities.
Jabarin's conviction stems from a 2001 incident where he purchased weapons and ammunition from an individual in Judea and Samaria and sold them to Fatah-affiliated Palestinian police officers. In 2002, he transported two individuals from the Jenin area, one carrying a 10-kilogram suicide bomb belt, knowing they were en route to carry out a suicide attack. Jabarin also provided directions to the intended attack site in Karkur and helped his passengers evade security forces. For these actions, Jabarin was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2004. The court noted in its ruling that "citizens live among us who are obligated to be loyal to the state, but help our enemies in various ways to carry out bloody terrorist attacks on innocent people, sowing destruction, terror, and fear among citizens and residents of the country."
Citing these nationalist-motivated crimes and Jabarin's ongoing financial support from the Palestinian Authority, Saar has moved to expedite the citizenship revocation. This action follows the government's approval of Saar's appointment as Interior Minister the previous day, a post that had been vacant for a year. Saar will hold both ministerial positions temporarily until a new government is potentially formed, with this interim appointment not requiring Knesset approval.