Israeli Lawmakers in Multiple Efforts to Stress “Jewish” State

Israel’s lawmakers are in the midst of a significant push to underscore that the nation is the “Jewish state.” Foremost among examples of the phenomenon is the so-called “Nationality Law” which is being prepared for the second and third readings before the parliament that are required in order to become law. The bill is criticized by those who believe it is one of several initiatives under way that needlessly provoke the Arab Israeli population while having a deleterious effect on prospects for peace with the Palestinians. They are concerned not only that the bill was introduced and appears to be on-track to become law, but also see a trend – blamed in large part on US President Donald Trump – of running up legislation and specific terms within legislation that negatively impacts on Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. In its first reading, the bill in question created a special status for the Arabic language but that clause has now been removed to a separately-standing alternative measure. Palestinians point to the move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem and the Trump declaration that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital as further signs of an erosion it their status. And as reported earlier this week by The Media Line, a private member’s bill would allow non-Arabs to purchase land in the West Bank – a move seen as a direct threat to the Palestinian state-in-waiting. The Palestinians also protest the allowing of Israeli parliamentarians to visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and see the lifting of the ban as one more cog in the wheel that legislates against them. The Israelis, however, see visiting the holy area to be an unalienable right and consistent with the Israeli vow to allow access to all religions.