Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Israeli cabinet approves controversial “Jewish state” bill | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Two daughters learn the news of the death of their father yesterday, north of Jabalya (AFP)


The daughters of Fadel Mohammed Halawa, 32, who was shot dead by Israeli forces near the border in northern Gaza, react upon hearing the news of their father's death as they return home from school in Gaza City on November 23, 2014. (AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams)

The daughters of Fadel Mohammed Halawa, 32, who was shot dead by Israeli forces near the border in northern Gaza, react upon hearing the news of their father’s death as they return home from school in Gaza City on November 23, 2014. (AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams)

Tel Aviv and Ramallah, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Israeli cabinet approved a draft bill on Sunday to officially recognize the country as a “Jewish state,” amid criticisms regarding the law discriminating against Arab residents in Israel, from both Israeli politicians and the Palestinian Authority, who labeled the move an example of “apartheid.”

The cabinet passed the bill by a majority of 14 votes to five, and the law will now go to the Israeli Knesset for approval on Wednesday.

If passed it will allow Israel to carry out a number of controversial measures including delisting Arabic as an official language, stripping Arab residents of their citizenship if they are involved in violent acts—including throwing stones against Israeli security forces—and utilizing Jewish law as the main source of legislation in the country.

Addressing cabinet members on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Israel is the . . . state of the Jewish people, and their only state. Israel safeguards equality of personal rights for all citizens. But national rights [in Israel] are for the Jewish people only.”

He said the new law would act as a counter to the Palestinian right of return as it gave further gravitas to “Jewish symbols such as the country’s flag and its national anthem,” and secured “the right of Jews, and only Jews,” to come and reside in the country.

But the controversial law was opposed by several prominent members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, including former prime minister and current justice minister Tzipi Livni. Israel’s attorney-general, Yehuda Weinstein, was also critical of the bill.

Several rights groups both in Israel and abroad have also condemned the bill for its discrimination against Arab residents in Israel, and non-Jewish residents in general.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, described the law as another example of Israeli “apartheid” measures against Palestinians and called on the international community to strongly oppose the move.

Kifah Ziboun contributed additional reporting from Ramallah.