JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament has not renewed a temporary law first enacted in 2003 that bars Arab citizens of Israel from extending citizenship or even residency to spouses from the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The 59-59 vote early on Tuesday means the law is poised to expire at midnight. Under it, Arab citizens who make up a fifth of Israel’s population, have had few if any avenues for bringing spouses from the West Bank and Gaza into Israel. Critics and many left-wing and Arab lawmakers say it’s a racist measure to restrict the growth of Israel’s Arab minority. Supporters say it’s needed for security purposes and to preserve Israel’s Jewish character.
Israel blocks law that keeps out Palestinian spouses
