The Amendment to the Citizenship Law Punishes People for Others' Crimes

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In 2025, as the Knesset's summer session drew to a close, the Knesset swiftly passed an amendment to the Citizenship Law (Section 11A), contrary to the legal opinions of both the Knesset's own legal advisers and those of the government. This amendment approved a sweeping revocation of legal status for Palestinians whose relatives (broadly defined) are involved in security-related issues. The revocation of status will apply even if those being "punished" have had no contact whatsoever with the relative, and even if the relative is unaware that they are residing in Israel or of the impact that their actions may have on them. The amendment also states that any Palestinian who was present in Israel unlawfully, regardless of how long and regardless of their personal or family circumstances, will be barred from obtaining legal status in Israel for ten years. Both provisions are effective immediately apply to spouses, parents, children, Palestinian asylum seekers, victims of violence and crime, and other humanitarian cases.

On August 17, 2025, ACRI, HaMoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel filed a petition with the Supreme Court to strike down the amendment. The organizations argued that Section 11A would apply to individuals against whom there are no concrete allegations that they knew about, supported, or participated in any security issues. It would punish people by denying them legal status in Israel or removing them from the country despite the fact that they have done nothing wrong; it would also harm any spouses and children who are Israeli citizens or residents and would be separated from their family member. The organizations emphasized that a fundamental legal principle is that a person bears responsibility for their own actions and is not punished for the actions of others. The amendment to the Citizenship Law, Section 11A tramples on this principle and allow for collective punishment. Section 11A is unconstitutional, and its purpose is racist and populist.

The State did not rush to implement the law, and the Court ordered that if implementation were to begin, advance notice must be given. On July 23, 2026, the state notified the Court that it intended to begin partial implementation of the provision on August 1, 2026. In response, the organizations requested that the Court rule on the application for an interim injunction.

A temporary order was issued on July 31, 2026, under which a new application for status, or an application to renew a residence permit or license, may not be denied under Section 11A solely because of the actions or classification of an applicant's family member. This means that applicants may not be deprived of the opportunity to have their applications considered through established legal procedures merely because of a family relationship. The "Ten-Year Rule" established by the amendment may be applied to individuals who entered Israel unlawfully from the occupied territories or violated the conditions of a permit, but the Authority must also examine whether special circumstances justify exempting the applicant from the rule. According to the Population and Immigration Authority's notice to the Court, this rule will, for the time being, apply only to individuals who have been convicted.

HCJ 41284-08-25 ACRI v. The Knesset

Attorneys: Oded Feller (ACRI), Daniel Shenhar (HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual), Adi Lustigman (Physicians for Human Rights Israel)

The petition, July 19, 2025 (Heb)

For a full list of legal correspondence and articles about this case (all in Hebrew), see here.

The petition was written with the assistance of Elza Bugnet and ACRI legal interns Yaser Abu Areesha and Inbar Quiroga.