Israel's cabinet votes to extend 'racist' citizenship law "As long as Israel is in a state of national conflict with the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza, there is no reason why its policy concerning entry into Israeli territory as part of family reunification should be the same as the policy for English or Italian citizens," Mr Sa'ar told cabinet ministers on Sunday. Ronit Sela, a spokesperson for Association for Civil Rights in Israel, which launched one of the defeated petitions, said the result of the cabinet's vote was a given: "The government's decision to renew this racist law comes as no surprise, but it is regretful to witness time and again how the basic rights of so many families are infringed upon. Categorically denying permanent status in Israel to Palestinians from the West Bank who are spouses of Israeli citizens puts these families in a terrible state of distress that effects every possible aspect of their lives. ACRI predicts a permanent law preventing Palestinian spouses from gaining Israeli citizenship will be drafted within the year.