Israeli Nationalist Legislation Threatens to Topple Netanyahu’s Coalition

Despite the strong support Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition enjoyed several months ago when the army was battling Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the government is arguably closer to being toppled than at any time since it was formed in 2013. The straw threatening the camel’s back is a nationalistic manifesto declaring the country to be the nation-state of the Jewish people. The so-called “nationality” bill would codify certain symbols and customs in defining Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, prompting some to see it as discriminatory to non-Jews. Complicating matters are the several versions of the bill that have been offered, each one more strongly imbued with nationalism than the next. The version offered by Prime Minister Netanyahu is not acceptable to two parties that are members of his ruling coalition, and unless the two can be brought in line, the government could fall. Each party, Yesh Atid headed by former broadcaster Yair Lapid and Hatnua, headed by Tzipi Livni, face a disastrous loss of strength if a new election is held according to polls. Reports of heated conversations and even shouting matches inside the cabinet room have permeated media coverage of the debate.