JERUSALEM
The Israeli government, citing "security reasons," has extended a law restricting the reunification of Palestinian families living in Israel.
The Knesset (Israel's parliament) approved the extension, with 42 members voting in favor and 15 against.
Under the law – which first came into effect in 2003 and which has now been extended to April 30, 2015 – families hailing from countries deemed "enemies of Israel" are banned from using "reunification with family" as grounds for entering the self-proclaimed Jewish state.
The law largely targets Palestinian residents of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip who seek to move to Israel or Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) as the spouse of someone already living there.
The Adaleh Center for Human Rights, a Palestinian legal center based in Israel, blasted the law extension, which it said would "prevent tens of thousands of Palestinian families from having normal lives and hinder their right to live under the same roof."
"The Israeli government continues to prevent Palestinian families from leading free, dignified lives; instead, it tears these families apart," according to a statement issued by the center.
Since the legislation first came into force in 2003, the center has filed two legal challenges against it at Israel's High Court of Justice. The court, however, rejected both challenges and ruled the law constitutional.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
englishnews@aa.com.tr
