The bill for a Basic Law on Israel – the Nation-State of the Jewish People is unnecessary and merely deepens tensions between Jews and Arabs; it should be shelved completely.

In response to the scathing criticism and pressure within his Kadima party, MK Avi Dichter retreated from his original proposal for a Basic Law on Israel – the Nation-State of the Jewish People. Instead, he proposed what was ostensibly a softened version. But anyone who opposes the first version will oppose the second. In the new version, too, the bill is unnecessary and merely deepens tensions between Jews and Arabs, as well as among various parts of the Jewish population. And it will give Israel a bad name. There is only one remedy for this bill – to shelve it completely. Read more

Editor’s Note:

Following are few of the clauses of this bill and the last clauses seem to bother some more than the others:

“The history of the Jewish people, its heritage and tradition will be taught in all the educational institutions that serve the Jewish public.”

“The state will act to strengthen the bond between Israel and the Jews in the Diaspora”

“Any citizen of Israel, regardless of religion or nationality, has the right to preserve his culture, heritage, language and identity”

Freedom of access to the holy places for members of all faiths will be a constitutional right