1. The Jewish Nation-State Law
One of Israel's quasi-constitutional basic laws. It states that the right to self-determination in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories "belongs exclusively to the Jewish people," and encourages racial segregation and discrimination against Palestinians in housing by instructing the state to support "the development of Jewish settlements as a national asset.".
2. The „Law of Return”
It allows Jews from anywhere in the world to immigrate to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and automatically receive Israeli citizenship. At the same time, Israel denies the indigenous Palestinians, who were expelled during and after the establishment of Israel, the right to return to their homeland, because they are not Jewish. It also treats the state’s Palestinian citizens, who make up more than 20% of Israel’s population, as second-class citizens.
3. The Admissions Committee Act
It authorizes hundreds of smaller settlements to establish „admission committees” that can reject applications from Palestinians, LGBTQ people, and other applicants deemed undesirable based on criteria such as „unsuitable for community life… or for integration into the social and cultural fabric of the settlement.”.
4. Absentee Property Act and Land Acquisition Act
It allows the Israeli government to confiscate the land and other property of Palestinians who were expelled from their homes during the establishment of the state. It is the primary tool Israel uses to steal vast amounts of land and private property from Palestinians who have been expelled and denied their right of return – including those who have become internally displaced within Israel’s borders.
5. The Law of the Lands of Israel
Another quasi-constitutional law of Israel. It states that ownership of state land can only be transferred between the government and quasi-governmental agencies, such as the Jewish National Fund, which leases land exclusively to Jews. 93% of Israel's land is state-owned. Israel's discriminatory land policy makes it extremely difficult for Palestinians with Israeli citizenship to acquire land for housing, commercial, agricultural, or other purposes.
6. Law on Citizenship and Entry into Israel
It prevents Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza who are married to Palestinians who are Israeli citizens from obtaining residency or citizenship status – including those who were expelled from towns in the territories that became Israel in 1948. This law forces thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel to leave the country or live separately from their spouses and families.
7. The Nakba Law
It prohibits public funding for institutions and organizations that participate in commemorating the forced expulsion of three-quarters of all Palestinians during the establishment of Israel as a Jewish-majority state in 1948. This event is known to Palestinians as the „Nakba,” or „catastrophe.”.
