Israeli court upholds citizenship law

JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- An Israeli Supreme Court ruling to uphold a law banning family reunification put an end to hope for thousands of families of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians.

The citizenship law, upheld Wednesday, is temporary legislation that allows the reunification in Israel of Palestinians with Israeli spouses, if the reunification involves a Palestinian husband over the age of 36 or a Palestinian wife who is at least 26, Haaretz reported.

"The decision is proof that one shouldn't have any faith in the Israeli judicial system. It is clear that the Supreme Court is influenced by the wave of fascism and racism sweeping Israel and the judges weren't expected to act in any other way," said Taysar Hatib, whose wife, Lana, from Nablus, has been denied Israeli citizenship.

Hatib said the ruling put an end to any hope of normalcy the couple had. "She can't develop a career -- She can't even drive a car, though she holds a Palestinian driver's license."

Hatam Ataya, a lawyer from Kfar Qara, married his wife Jasmine, who was born in Nablus, 12 years ago. Since then, Jasmine has been denied Israeli citizenship multiple times.

"If Michaeli spilled water on Majadele and people said that it wasn't racist or offensive, then the Supreme Court spilled a large bucket of water on Israel's Arab citizens," Ataya said of the court ruling.