Israel's parliament has passed a law that allows courts to revoke the citizenship of anyone convicted of spying, treason or aiding its enemies

The bill, which was passed by 37 votes to 11 in the Knesset, was sponsored by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's hardline Yisrael Beiteinu party. Lieberman said afterwards: "Without loyalty, there can be no citizenship." But critics say it is discriminatory towards Israel's Arab minority, which makes up a fifth of the population. The courts would also be able to revoke the permanent residency of anyone found guilty of assisting a terrorist organization. This could affect Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem. Someone convicted of terrorism would also lose their right to all allowances paid by the Israeli state, such as child allowances and welfare.