For first time in history: Israel Interior Minister strips Arab Israeli of citizenship

Published September 9th, 2002 - 03:00 GMT

Israel's Interior Minister Eli Yishai on Monday signed a warrant stripping an Israeli citizen of his citizenship. Nahed Abu Kishak, an Israeli Arab, has been stripped of his identity for allegedly participating in anti-Israeli activities, media reports said.

Abu Kishak, Yishai has said, worked for the Hamas and was responsible for the killing and wounding of many Israelis.

Yishai signed the warrant after Abu Kishak failed to submit an appeal within the 30-day period. An Israeli spokeswoman added that although his Israeli citizenship would be annulled, he would still hold his Palestinian Authority identity card.

"In light of the rise recently in terrorist activity, I believe it is necessary to act with a strong hand against those that would seek to harm the security of the state," Yishai was quoted as saying. He stressed that his actions were not meant to "stigmatize the entire Arab population of Israel," the members of which are "usually loyal to the state."

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) harshly criticized the minister's decision, calling it "another step in Yishai's constant and discriminatory policy toward Israeli Arabs." (Albawaba.com)