Newly appointed Interior Minister Gilad Erdan announced on Nov. 23 that he had revoked the permanent residency status of Mahmoud Nadi, a resident of the Israeli Arab town of Jaljulye. In 2001, Nadi drove the suicide bomber to the terrorist attack on Tel Aviv’s Dolphinarium club, where 21 youths were killed and 110 wounded. He was convicted of being an accomplice to manslaughter, of assisting in causing severe bodily harm and of assisting illegal entry into Israel. He was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison.
This is one of the first resolutions made by Erdan in his capacity as interior minister, and judging by his statements, he seems to be intent on wielding his power as far as possible. He has already instructed his staff to examine ways to revoke the permanent residency and associated social benefits of East Jerusalem Arabs who support and encourage terrorism.
