Interior Minister Gideon Saar Moves to Revoke Citizenship of Convicted Terrorist

Interior Minister Gideon Saar initiated proceedings to revoke the Israeli citizenship of Ziad Mahmoud Aref Jabarin, a resident of Umm al-Fahm convicted of severe security offenses including aiding the enemy during wartime. Jabarin is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence and receives payments from the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah linked to his terrorist acts, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Saar notified Jabarin of his intention to petition the Administrative Affairs Court to revoke his citizenship under Section 11 of the Citizenship Law. The legislation permits citizenship revocation in cases involving terrorism convictions and the receipt of funds linked to terror activities.

According to his conviction details, in 2001 Jabarin purchased weapons and ammunition from a West Bank resident and sold them to members of the Palestinian Authority police, knowing they belonged to Fatah. A year later, in 2002, Jabarin transported two residents from the Jenin area knowing they were en route to carry out a suicide bombing in Israel, with one carrying a ten-kilogram explosive belt.

Jabarin further instructed the terrorist on how to reach the Karkor area where the attack against Israeli civilians was planned, and helped him evade security forces. The attack was thwarted after an alert citizen raised the suspicions of security forces. In 2004, Jabarin was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with judges harshly criticizing his betrayal of the fundamental duty of loyalty owed by an Israeli citizen.

The move marks Saar's first major action as interior minister, following his appointment to the portfolio in addition to his role as foreign minister. The final decision regarding the citizenship revocation rests with the Administrative Affairs Court.