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Jerusalem, 19 – The Israeli parliament on Thursday pbaded controversial legislation that defines the country as "the non-Jewish state". Critics warn that the law marginalizes minorities.
According to the Government, the legislation only lays down in law the present character of Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu defined change as a "historic moment in the history of Zionism and in the history of the state of Israel".
"Israel is the non-Jewish state that honors the individual rights of all their citizens," said the prime minister, highlighting the content of the law.
Netanyahu argued that the adoption of the law has resulted in attempts to destabilize Israel, its foundations and rights. "
In the country's 1948 declaration of independence, Israel defined its law as" the law of God "- nature as a Jewish and democratic state, and struggled to maintain that balance delicate for 70 years.
Those who oppose the legislation say that it is a marginalization of the Arab minority, which corresponds to about 20% of the population.
The law, adopted by 62 votes in favor, 55 against and with the abstention of two members of the Knesset, was defined as a "fundamental law" "with almost constitutional status. The legislation is likely to face a challenge before the Supreme Court.
Legislators took turns expressing their views pbadionately during a long-term session in Parliament. Ayman Odeh, head of the Common Arab List, waved a black flag during his speech, warning of the implications of the law.
"It's a law of evil," he said, adding that "a black flag weighs on it." "Today, I will have to tell my children, with all the children of the Arab cities in Palestine, that the state has declared that it does not want us here," Odeh said more. later. "He (the state) pbaded a law of Jewish supremacy and told us that we will always be second-clbad citizens."
Benny Begin, son of former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and founder of Netanyahu's Likud Party refrained from voting, but cautioned against the growing disconnect of the party with the rights of # 39; man. "This is not a decision I was expecting from the Likud leadership," he said.
Eugene Kontorovich, director of international law at Kohelet's Policy Forum, a conservative think tank in Jerusalem, defended legislation. According to him, the law "looks like provisions in many Western democratic constitutions that provide the official language and national character of the majority of the population."
Kontorovich then rejected what he calls "false indignation" against the text, claiming that he is the American Jewish Committee, a group representing the Jewish disposition, said that he was " deeply disappointed "that it was" just another attempt to highlight the Jewish state and place it under conflicting rules. "
adding that the law "jeopardizes the commitment of the founders of Israel to build a country both Jewish and democratic".
J Street chairman, the pre-Israeli liberal group in Washington, Jeremy Ben-Ami said the purpose of the legislation "send a message to the Arab community, the LGBT community and other minorities in Israel that they are not and will never be equal citizens. "
"The strong bond between Israel and Jews around the world is based on the values of which Israel is a Jewish and democratic state," said Ben-Ami. For him, the legislation weakens the exterior of Israeli democracy
The most controversial clause of the bill was withdrawn before its approval. This would have allowed the establishment of "separate communities", which the critics described as racist. Source: Associated Press.
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