Israeli Knesset

By Carolyn Yeager

A PROPOSED LAW THAT IS BEING FULLY SUPPORTED BY PRIME MINISTER BINYAMIN NETANYAHU (who said a month ago he would get it passed within 60 days) seeks to add to the Basic Law of Israel the words “the nation state of the Jewish people.” Israel has no constitution by direct vote of its people, but, like Germany, uses a Basic Law as an equivalent.

The proposal specifies that the right to self-determination in Israel would be unique to the Jewish people. It also states that

• Israel will establish [separate?] ethnic communities where every [non-jewish] resident can preserve their culture and heritage;

• the Law of Return for all Jews is established as part of the Basic Law;

• the Hebrew language will be the official language, while Arabic (currently also designated an official language) will be demoted to a special status;

• the Hebrew calendar would become official;

• Hebrew law would inspire the legislators.