At the request of Immigration Authority chief Yaakov Ganot, Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) plans to begin the process of revoking the citizenship of four Israeli-Arabs engaged in anti-Israel activity.

The four, who left Israel for enemy countries many years ago, were involved there in activity defined as “endangering national security,” directly and indirectly. They have now requested to return to Israel.

Immediate Arrests Ordered
Ganot presented detailed information on the four to Minister Yishai and asked him to invoke his authority to revoke their citizenship, an action rarely taken. Yishai announced that he would carefully review the information and begin the process. In the meanwhile, he ordered, they should be immediately arrested if they arrive at Israel’s border.

Attorney Yossi Fuchs of the Land of Israel Legal Forum congratulated the minister for his decision. “This is an important step, and should become a regular procedure,” said Fuchs. “It is untenable that an Israeli citizen should act against state security, yet be able to maintain his rights as a citizen."

“Citizenship is a privilege,” Fuchs declared, “and one who lifts his hand against the country that confers it upon him, thereby gives up his rights as such.”