JERUSALEM, July 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israel’s parliament on Thursday
adopted a law defining the country as the nation state of the Jewish people,
provoking fears it will lead to blatant discrimination against Arab citizens.
The legislation, adopted by 62 votes to 55, makes Hebrew the country’s
national language and defines the establishment of Jewish communities as
being in the national interest.
The Arabic language was granted only special status.
The law speaks of Israel as being the Jewish historical homeland and says
Jews have the right to self-determination there.
However, a deeply controversial clause that had been seen as more
specifically legalising the establishment of Jewish-only communities was
changed after it drew criticism, including from Israeli President Reuven
Rivlin.
The legislation becomes part of the country’s basic laws, which serve as a
de facto constitution.
“It is a decisive moment in the history of the state of Israel that
inscribes in stone our language, our anthem and our flag,” Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the vote on the legislation, backed by
his right-wing government.
A range of opposition members denounced the vote, with the head of the
mainly Arab Joint List alliance Ayman Odeh denouncing it as “the death of our
democracy”.
Arab citizens account for some 17.5 percent of Israel’s more than eight
million population.