20h38 – Israel: accusations of "racism" after the passing of a law on the "Jewish nation-state"

Israel's parliament pbaded a law on Thursday defining the country as "the nation-state of the Jewish people," a controversial text that raises accusations of "racism" against the Arab minority, despite the amendment controversial article.

The law, adopted by 62 votes to 55 and falling into the category of basic laws constituting a constitution in Israel, makes Hebrew the only official language of the country, while Arab had previously an identical status.

It declares that the establishment of "Jewish localities (on Israeli territory) is in the national interest" and proclaims that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, including the eastern part of the annexed and occupied city. [19659002] The law reads "the State of Israel as the national state of the Jewish people where it applies its natural, cultural, religious, historical right" specifying that "the right to exercise self-determination within of the State of Israel is reserved only for the Jewish people. "

" This is a decisive moment in the history of the State of Israel which inscribes in marble our language, our anthem and our flag " , welcomed Benjamin Netanyahu, the right-wing prime minister in Israel's history.

The most controversial article, which spoke of the possibility of creating Jewish-only localities, excluding Israeli Arab citizens, however, was amended. [19659002] Israeli Arabs are the descendants of Palestinians who remained on their lands when Israel was created in 1948. They represent 17.5% of the Israeli population, overwhelmingly Jewish, and claim to be victims of discrimination.

The text amended specifies that "the State considers that the development of Jewish localities is in the national interest and that the State will take measures to encourage, advance and serve this interest."

– "Apartheid" –

The original wording had prompted a wave of criticism, including from President Reuven Rivlin, Attorney General Avishai Mandelblit and the European Union Delegation to Israel because of its discriminatory nature.

The new, more vague formula, However, the opposition, including Arab MP Ayman Odeh, who waved a black flag on the platform during the debate to mark "the death of our e. "

Another Arab MP, Youssef Jabareen, said that this law encouraged" not only discrimination, but also racism, it will perpetuate the inferior status of Arabs in Israel ", the Hebrew State acting as "a Jewish and colonial movement, which is pursuing the Judaization of the land."

Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erakat said on Twitter that the text "officially legalized apartheid "

The European Union has expressed" concern "at the adoption of this law, which risks" complicating "the two-state solution to the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Arab League , judging the law "dangerous", ruled that it consolidated "racist practices" while Turkey felt it "trampled" international law and the rights of Israeli Arabs.

– Arabic , "special status" –

In debates, the Likud party – Mr Netanyahu's party – Avi Dichter, rapporteur of the law, told Arab deputies: "You were not here before us and will not stay here after us. We have pbaded this fundamental law to prevent the slightest attempt or attempt to turn the State of Israel into a nation of all its citizens. "

About the official language, no law having been pbaded at this time Since the creation of Israel in 1948, both Hebrew and Arabic have so far been considered as quasi-official languages, used in all state documents.

After the vote of the law, Arabic will have only a "special status", which is not precisely defined.

For Shuki Friedman, a member of the Israel Democraty Institute think tank, the law has a primarily symbolic character, but it will to compel the courts to take into account the Jewish character of the state which will lead to a "more restrictive interpretation of the rights of the Arabs".

By emphasizing the Jewish character of the state, it "indirectly reduces its democratic character, "added Shuki F riedman

On Thursday, Israelis seemed divided over the new law

"I am sad and disappointed," said Roni Pearlman, interviewed in Tel Aviv. According to this badagenarian, it is a "new piece of Israeli democracy that disappears."

But in Holon, south of Tel Aviv, Yehuda, a fiftieth year old who did not wish to give his name, said that this legislation "strengthened the connection between the people and the land of Israel."