PNN/ Bethlehem
A panel of the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed, on Wednesday, a petition against the “Admissions Committees Law” that allows Israeli Jewish communities to exclude Palestinian citizens.
Adalah, the legal center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, filed the petition against the “Admissions Committees Law” three years ago. Citing “social suitability” and the “social and cultural fabric” of the towns, this law permits Israeli Jews to reject applicants for housing in the Negev and in Galilee.
Applicants, for instance Palestinian Arabs with Israeli citizenship, can thus be rejected solely on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, or other identity. The court’s decision effectively legalizes the principle of segregation in housing between Arab and Jewish citizens, and permits the practice of racism against Arab citizens in about 434 communities, or 43% of all towns in Israel. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) also filed a petition against this law.
In response, Adalah stated that the Court’s decision, “gives the green light for 434 communities to exist based on the principle of segregated housing. This law is one of the most racist pieces of legislation enacted in recent years, the primary objective of which is to marginalize Arab citizens and prevent them from accessing housing on ‘state land’ in many communities. The court’s decision upholds one of the most dangerous laws in Israel.”
Attorney Bishara, who filed the petition, stated that the new decision, “allows the principle of separation in residency based on national identity, and as such, 434 communities will be allowed to close their doors to Arab citizens.”
He added that “the law marginalizes certain groups, creating a legal, constitutional, and legitimate basis for discrimination. The law allows for division of state land based on vague cultural and social standards – and not even the state can explain which criteria admissions committees could use to accept or reject candidates. The law will open the door to arbitrary decisions based on prejudices and personal grudges.”
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Israel, Palestine