Netanyahu strongly backs Jewish nation-state bill
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Monday he wholeheartedly supports a controversial bill that enshrines Israel as “the national home of the Jewish people.” Referring to claims of discrimination against the Arab minority, Netanyahu said “There is absolutely no contradiction between the Jewish state bill and equal rights in Israel.” He went on to say, “The bill provides an overwhelming response to all those who deny the deep connection between the Jewish people and their land.” It should be supported by all the Zionist parties in the coming Knesset vote.
While the proposal grants every individual the right to “to preserve his culture, heritage, language and identity,” the right to realize self-determination “is unique to the Jewish people,” the prime minister stressed.
One of its clauses demotes the status of the Arabic language from “official” alongside Hebrew to “special.”
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog criticized the bill drafted by Likud MK Avi Dichter as threatening to “trample on the delicate balance” between a Jewish state and a democratic state”