Racial Discrimination Convention – Israel’s Temporary Suspension Order – CERD decision

Committee on the Elimination  

 of Racial Discrimination

CERD/C/63/Misc.11/Rev.1

14 August 2003

63rd Session

4-22 August 2003

Decision 2 (63)

ISRAEL

The Committee is concerned about Israel’s Temporary Suspension Order of May 2002 enacted into law as the Nationality and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order) on 31 July 2003, which suspends, for a renewable one-year period, the possibility of family reunification, subject to limited and discretionary exceptions, in the cases of marriages between an Israeli citizen and a person residing in the West Bank or Gaza. The Committee notes with concern that the Suspension Order of May 2002 has already adversely affected many families and marriages.

The Nationality and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order) on 31 July 2003 raises serious issues under the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. The State party should revoke this law, and reconsider its policy with a view to facilitating family unification on a non-discriminatory basis. It should provide detailed information on this issue in its next periodic report.

——