Mideast Report

Israel to deport terrorist's relative

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel's Security Cabinet approved the expulsion of a Palestinian terrorist's relative from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip.

The move would be the first such deportation since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising in September 2000. The decision was made during a meeting Wednesday of the Security Cabinet to discuss ways to combat suicide bomb attacks.

Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein recently said that deportation of terrorists' relatives can take place only if proof is found linking them to terrorist activity. In this case, the man met the criteria, Army Radio reported.

Other measures approved by the Security Cabinet included house demolitions and withholding benefit payments if the family of the terrorist is Israeli, Israel Radio reported.