Israel adopts divisive Jewish nation-state law

Jerusalem, July 19 

Israel passed a “nation-state” law on Thursday declaring that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country, stirring anger from members of the Arab minority who said it was racist and drawing an expression of concern from the EU. 

The Bill, backed by the right-wing government, and passed after months of political argument and some Arab lawmakers shouted and ripped up their papers after the vote. 

Largely symbolic, the law was enacted just after the 70th anniversary of the birth of the state of Israel. It stipulates “Israel is the historical homeland of the Jewish people and they have an exclusive right to national self-determination in it”.

Palestinian leaders condemned the move. “No racist law will undermine the rights of our people. We are proud of being a strong nation deeply rooted in our homeland,” Palestinian chief negotiator said.

The Bill also removes Arabic as an official language alongside Hebrew, downgrading it to a “special status” that enables its continued use in Israeli institutions. Israel’s Arab citizens number some 1.8 million, about 20% of the 9 million population. — Reuters

Arabs call it racist

• The law declares that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country and removes Arabic as an official language alongside Hebrew, downgrading it to a “special status”
• Arab lawmakers, who have long said they are treated in Israel as second-class citizens, denounced the law saying it was racist and discriminated against the minority community