HCJ 10650/03 Abu Gwella et. al v

The parties to the petition
10. Petitioner 1 (hereinafter – Petitioner 1), who was born in Jerusalem and is a resident of
the State of Israel, lives in East Jerusalem. She is the mother of seven children,
ranging in age from 14 years to 15 months. The registration of the three youngest
children – daughters four years old, three years old, and 15 months old – was
approved by Respondent 3, whereas Respondent 3 refused to register in the Population
Registry her four elder children – aged 14, 13, 12, and 8 – without considering the
matter substantively, because they were born outside of Israel.
11. Petitioners 2-5 are the four minor children of Petitioner 1. They live with their parents
in East Jerusalem, but have West Bank identity numbers. Their mother’s request to
register them in Israel’s Population Registry was refused.
12. Petitioner 6, a registered nonprofit society, assists persons who fall victim to the abuse
and oppression of state authorities. Its activities include the protection of their rights in
court proceedings, whether in its name as a public petitioner or as a representative of
persons whose rights have been violated.
13. Respondent 1 is the minister empowered by the Entry into Israel Law, 5712 – 1952, to
handle all matters related to that law. Among these matters are requests to receive a
status in Israel, including requests to register children.
14. Respondent 2 is the director of the Population Administration in Israel. In accordance
with the Entry into Israel Regulations, 5734 – 1974, Respondent 1 delegated to
Respondents 2 and 3 his powers related to the handling and approval of requests to
arrange the status of children submitted by permanent residents of the state who live in
East Jerusalem. Also, Respondent 2 is involved in determining the policy regarding
requests to receive a status in Israel pursuant to the Entry into Israel Law and the
regulations enacted pursuant thereto.
15. Respondent 3 directs the East Jerusalem district office of the Population
Administration. In accordance with the Entry into Israel Regulations, 5734 – 1974,
Respondent 1 delegated to Respondents 2 and 3 his powers related to the handling and
approval of requests to arrange the status of children submitted by permanent residents
of the state who live in East Jerusalem.
The matter involving Petitioners 1-5
16. The Petitioner married a resident of Ramallah in 1988. After marrying, she lived in her
spouse’s parents’ home in the Qalandiya refugee camp, then in rented apartments in
the camp, and later in her parents’ home in Abu Tor [in East Jerusalem]. In 1997, the
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