Interior Minister Revokes Residency of Father of Terrorist

Interior Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri said on Thursday he would not extend the residency rights of the father of an Arab citizen of Israel who carried out an attack in October, annulling his access to social security.

The terrorist, Alaa Raeed Ahmed Zayud, ran over two IDF soldiers at a bus station near Gan Shmuel, between Hadera and Afula in northern Israel. Zayud then exited his car and stabbed two civilians – among them a 15-year-old girl.

Zayud, who showed no remorse in court, is facing multiple charges for the attack.

His father, Raeed Zayud, is a resident of the PA who had been granted permanent residency status in Israel under family unification laws after he married an Israeli Arab. His residency status allowed him to receive social and welfare benefits – all of which will now be revoked.

Rabbi Deri said the step was meant to “cause terrorists to understand that their actions will have tough implications also on their family members.”

The Interior Ministry said its decision was also based on the father violating an agreement to not communicate with terrorists.

The government has previously revoked the residency rights of four Palestinian residents of Yerushalayim who carried out attacks against Israelis.

“We want to cause terrorists who go out to undertake attacks to understand that their actions have repercussions for their family members as well,” Deri said in a statement explaining his decision.