On February 21, 2024, ACRI filed an appeal with the Appeals Court on behalf of a family residing in the Negev, seeking a residence permit for the father for family reunification purposes. The father, who holds a Palestinian ID card, is married to an Israeli citizen, and together they have five children, including two with special needs. Over the past two years, the mother has been battling cancer, and their youngest child was diagnosed with leukemia before turning one. The father is the primary caregiver for both his special needs children and his ailing wife. Despite his crucial role, his residence permit was not renewed due to a claim of insufficient proof of center of life. Additionally, a new permit application he submitted has been ignored for over a year and a half, despite numerous reminders sent to the Population and Immigration Authority. Without a valid permit, the father is unable to work, drive, and faces the risk of delays and potential arrests.
The appeal contended that the prolonged failure to respond—lasting over a year and a half—violates the appellants' fundamental constitutional rights to family life, equality, and dignity. It argued that this neglect exacerbates their already dire circumstances, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and helplessness. ACRI asserted that the Population and Immigration Authority's conduct undermines its obligation to act fairly, deliver essential services efficiently, and within a reasonable timeframe.
In response to the appeal, the Population Authority announced its decision to reject the father's request for family reunification and deny him a residence permit. ACRI subsequently sought a court order to prevent the father's deportation while appealing the new decision. The court granted this request, ruling that the father could not be deported until the appeal was resolved. ACRI then filed an additional appeal, challenging the decision to reject the request and highlighting the significant impact on the family's welfare, particularly given the serious health conditions of family members and the father's critical role in their care.