Israel's parliament has passed legislation that could see relatives of people accused of "terror" attacks expelled from the country, possibly to the war-torn Gaza Strip.
The move has prompted concern from Arab minority rights activists.
The legislation authorised the interior minister to deport first-degree relatives for up to 20 years "if they knew in advance of plans to carry out terror attacks but did not do everything possible to prevent the attacks".
Far-right politicians have been pushing for this legislation for years, believing it will deter Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of annexed east Jerusalem from carrying out attacks against Israelis.
Adalah — an advocacy group for Arab minority rights in Israel — called the new law "a dangerous escalation in Israel's legislative crackdown on Palestinian rights, framed under the guise of counterterrorism".
"These measures enable the state to collectively punish Palestinians by authorising the deportation of entire families," it said in a statement.
The Israel-Hamas war is still raging in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed and most of the population has been internally displaced.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP: Islam Ahmed)
The law, brought by conservative politician Almog Cohen, does not specify where the people would be sent, but a spokesman for the far-right politician told AFP the expulsions would be to Gaza, where Israel is at war with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The interior minister will also have the authority to expel family members who express support for the attack or publish words of praise or encouragement for the act or for any militant group said to be behind it.
Israeli citizens can be expelled for a minimum of seven years and up to 15 under the new legislation.
While permanent temporary residents — like many Palestinians in east Jerusalem — could be deported for between 10 and 20 years.
Itamar Ben-Gvir praised the new law. (Reuters: Ronen Zvulun)
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir hailed the legislation as a "decisive pillar in our fight against terrorism".
He said in a statement it "sends a clear message" to the "families of perpetrators".
"From today, every father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister or spouse who identifies with and supports a family member who harmed citizens of Israel will be deported," he said.
Rights group Adalah's legal director Suhad Bishara said the organisation planned to fight the law either through Israel's Supreme Court by arguing it was unconstitutional or on an individual basis.
AFP