Gaza rallies against Jerusalem lawmakers' deportation

Ma'an - Gaza legislators and faction leaders gathered at the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Gaza City on Wednesday, to protest an Israeli decision to deport four Jerusalem lawmakers from the city.

Deputized PLC Speaker Ahmad Bahar said the move to expel Muhammad Abu Tier, Muhammad Totah, Khaled Abu Arafa, and Ahmed Atoun, from Jerusalem and revoke their residency rights was "a continuation of Israeli violations beginning with home demolitions in Silwan, the confiscation of land to complete the wall, and settlement expansion."

Bahar said the deportation would include the deportation of the PLC members' families. "These are racist decision, which are evidence of Israel's continued ethnic cleansing to judaize Jerusalem."

The PLC official appealed to the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference, and religious scholars to "reveal Israeli acts and violations and work toward bringing war criminals to international courts and support Jerusalem lawmakers."

Head of the Human Rights Center in Gaza Raji As-Sourani said the decision was "a massive penalty for the lawmakers' families," adding that the four PLC members "have immunity protecting them from such violations."

"The real reason behind the decision is the weakness of the Quartet, the US, and the EU," As-Sourani added.

In early June, all four legislators had their identity cards confiscated by Israeli police and were given a month to leave the city.

On Monday, a coalition of religious leaders, Fatah officials, and politicians gathered in Jerusalem to protest the deportation with Totah calling on the Palestinian Authority to halt all talks with Israel and for the UN to investigate Israel's policy toward Palestinian lawmakers.

Under all legal precedents, lawmakers are immune from detention and exile while sitting in office.