Four Hamas members living in eastern Jerusalem have been given an ultimatum by the Israeli Ministry of Interior to quit Hamas or else have their permanent residency rescinded.
One of the four is Khalid Abu ‘Arfa, the minister of Jerusalem affairs in the new Hamas-dominated Palestinian government. The others are members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) – Muhammad Abu Tir, Muhammad Toutah and Ahmad ‘Atoun.
Israeli Minister of Interior Roni Bar-On sent them letters demanding they quit their posts within 30 days, Israel’s Channel 2 reported.
The legality of the demand has been discussed with the Israeli Ministry of Justice. It is based on the fact that Israel designates Hamas a terror organization, since it is bent of the destruction of Israel and has been responsible for many terror attacks against Israeli civilians.
The four Hamas members live in eastern Jerusalem and are not Israeli citizens, but they do have a permanent residency status which means they benefit from Israeli social services such as health and welfare, and they can vote for the municipality. The Israeli government maintains they cannot be loyal to Israel while belonging to a hostile organization.
‘Atoun told the Palestinian daily Al-Quds that if there is such a demand, he rejects it outright. He stressed that the Palestinian legislative elections in January took place in accordance with international agreements and that “Israel was party to these agreements.”
The demand constitutes “coerced expulsion” and is an attempt to “make Jerusalem Jewish” through any possible means, ‘Atoun said.