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Israeli Interior Minister Seeks Expulsion of Palestinian Family from Jerusalem

An elderly Palestinian man faces member of the Israeli forces as Israeli, foreign and Palestinian activists demonstrate against the eviction of Palestinian villages to make way for an Israeli military training zone, in the southern hills of Yatta, south of the West Bank town of Hebron, on May 20, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)
An elderly Palestinian man faces member of the Israeli forces as Israeli, foreign and Palestinian activists demonstrate against the eviction of Palestinian villages to make way for an Israeli military training zone, in the southern hills of Yatta, south of the West Bank town of Hebron, on May 20, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)
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Israeli Interior Minister Seeks Expulsion of Palestinian Family from Jerusalem

An elderly Palestinian man faces member of the Israeli forces as Israeli, foreign and Palestinian activists demonstrate against the eviction of Palestinian villages to make way for an Israeli military training zone, in the southern hills of Yatta, south of the West Bank town of Hebron, on May 20, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)
An elderly Palestinian man faces member of the Israeli forces as Israeli, foreign and Palestinian activists demonstrate against the eviction of Palestinian villages to make way for an Israeli military training zone, in the southern hills of Yatta, south of the West Bank town of Hebron, on May 20, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev on Monday rejected a request by Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked to implement a court order to expel a Palestinian family from Jerusalem, citing tensions in the Palestinian territories.

He stressed he will wait until after Jewish holidays to decide whether to carry out the order.

In 2017, then Interior Minister Aryeh Deri revoked the residency status of seven members of the al-Qonbar family after their son, Fadi, a 28-year-old from East Jerusalem, rammed a truck into a group of Israeli soldiers in the Armon HaNetziv settlement, killing four troops and injuring 18 civilians. A Palestinian was also killed in the ensuing clashes.

The family rejected Israel’s collective punishment, saying it was unacceptable to penalize all of Fadi’s relatives for acts that they did not commit.

Still, an Israeli court approved the Interior Ministry’s decision, arguing that it would deter future attacks.

Two weeks ago, Shaked ordered the implementation of the order, requesting that Bar Lev prepare the police to expel the family by October 6.

Bar Lev replied that the police had asked him to wait before expelling the family.

Sources close to Bar Lev said Shaked’s requests are politically-motivated as Israel prepares to hold elections in November.

In return, Shaked accused Bar Lev of negligence and inaction, claiming that failure to expel the family encourages the Palestinians to carry out terrorist attacks.

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.