Israeli Court Revokes Citizenship of Ethiopian Immigrant Who Hid Murder Conviction

Jerusalem, 6 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — An israeli court on Thursday revoked the Citizenship of an Ethiopian immigrant who concealed his murder conviction to immigrate under the Law of Return. The Beer-Sheva Administrative Court found that the man, who claimed to be divorced, had actually been convicted of murdering his wife in 2009 and released early from a 20-year sentence.

The man immigrated in 2021 as the grandson of a Jew under Israel’s Law of Return. This law grants Jews, their children, grandchildren, and spouses the right to immigrate to Israel and obtain Citizenship.

After authorities uncovered his criminal past, the Interior Ministry moved to cancel his Citizenship. Judge Yoel Eden upheld the decision, ruling that rights obtained through deception can be annulled to protect state integrity.