Red Alert: Rothman’s Immigration Overhaul Advances in Knesset

Photo: Noam Moskowitz, Knesset Spokesperson Office

Rothman’s Immigration Basic Law Returns to the Knesset—First Debate on July 21

In a renewed push, MK Simcha Rothman is driving his highly contentious Basic Law: Entry, Immigration, and Status in Israel back into parliamentary debate. Remarkably, during the recent crisis with Iran – when buildings were collapsing and civilians were under rocket fire – Rothman attempted to sneak the bill back into parliamentary discussion. At the last moment, widespread pushback forced a postponement. Now, with Israel under less immediate strain, the same bill is poised for its first Constitution Committee discussion on Monday, July 21.

Committee Control Intensifies the Threat

Compounding the danger, Rothman chairs the very committee set to review his proposal. Though some members may voice objections, the committee’s leadership and overall atmosphere will favor the bill -making our voices in that forum all the more critical.

Where We Stand in the Legislative Process:

1. Preliminary Reading: Passed – general principles approved.
2. Committee Preparation (Round 1): First review and presentation, initial drafting and public input.
3. First Reading (Call): Formal presentation of the draft and vote.
4. Committee Preparation (Round 2): Line‑by‑line review, with amendments. Final revisions in committee; upon approval, the bill is reported back to the plenum.
5. Second & Third Readings (Simultaneous): Final presentation and vote.
6. Final Vote in Plenum: A simple majority enacts the law.

Once passed, a stability clause locks the text in place – requiring at least 61 MKs to amend anything thereafter, effectively shutting the door on significant future changes.

Our Critical Window: The Committee

The upcoming committee sessions are our best – and perhaps only – chance to reshape the law before its harmful provisions become entrenched. In an elaborate legal opinion paper submitted to the committee (linked below), AIC warns that the proposed Basic Law: Entry, Immigration, and Status poses a serious and unprecedented threat to the rights of tens of thousands of Israelis in relationships with foreign partners. We are distributing this paper, and joining forces with other human‑rights organizations, to ensure every MK hears our concerns before the July 21 debate.

Read AIC’s official paper (Hebrew)

Read the paper in English (AI translated)

Key concerns include:

• Annual quotas on who may receive status in Israel would apply to all non-citizens, including foreign partners of Israelis. This could delay or block legal status, separate families, and create new waiting lists just to apply for basic rights.
• Foreign partners already in Israel could lose their visas, jobs, health coverage, and legal identity as parents once quotas are full – making normal life impossible.
• Couples already in the middle of the multi-year status process could be trapped in an endless loop of temporary visas, with no path to permanent status or citizenship.
• The bill would ban any person who stayed illegally in Israel for more than 3 months – regardless of context – from ever receiving status. This ignores common real-life scenarios, including bureaucratic delays or sincere partnerships formed afterward.
• The proposal would also block access to the courts for foreigners denied entry unless they can prove that they’re eligible for long-term status – making it nearly impossible to challenge entry refusals, even for partners and relatives of Israeli citizens.
• The Association warns that the bill aims to weaken constitutional protections by giving this Basic Law superiority over others, including the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty – an anti-democratic and dangerous move.
• The bill also introduces severe sanctions against anyone deemed an “illegal resident,” including detention, denial of healthcare and social services, and even confiscation of funds, without regard for humanitarian or family considerations.

By framing the bill as targeting only asylum seekers, the coalition hopes to mask its impact on Israeli families. AIC’s mission is to expose this deception – and to defend the right of every Israeli to live with their partner without fear of arbitrary legal barriers.

How can YOU help?

Your involvement can turn the tide.

Contact parliament members, media outlets and other stakeholders and tell them about this law. Share AIC’s legal opinion paper, and raise your voice on social media about this Basic Law’s impact on your lives as international couples in Israel. Share AIC’s content (Facebook, Instagram). Together, we can ensure that on July 21, the Constitution Committee won’t be able to ignore the true cost of this law – and force them to act to protect Israeli families.

If you believe in this fight, help us keep going – become a monthly donor to AIC today. We rely on your support to stay in the room, speak truth to power, and defend the rights of thousands of international couples in Israel. Every shekel counts.

Want to do more? Where will you be on July 21st at 9:00 AM?
We’re looking for international couples willing to join us in person and make their voices heard at the Knesset committee. If you can be in Jerusalem at that date and time, please reach out: 📩 info@aic.org.il