Israel moves to revoke citizenship of 2 Israeli Arabs

Israel has decided for the first time to revoke the citizenship of two Israeli Arabs and deport them, officials said Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

The two men, who reportedly received financial support from the Palestinian Authority, were convicted of carrying out attacks against Israelis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

"This morning, I signed the revocation of citizenship and deportation of two Israeli terrorists who carried out stabbing and shooting attacks against Israeli civilians and were rewarded for their heinous acts by the Palestinian Authority," Netanyahu said.

He added that "many more" deportation orders are expected to follow. His office issued the statement as Netanyahu was flying to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Ofir Katz, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's Likud party, also confirmed the decision, saying it marked the first time Israel has applied the law passed by parliament in 2023, which allows the state to revoke the citizenship of "convicted terrorists" and expel them.

Neither Netanyahu nor Katz said where the two men would be deported. Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that they would be expelled to the Gaza Strip, adding that they are from Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.