Israel Invokes a Loyalty Oath for Non-Jews
Not Jewish in Israel? Repeat after me: Because I'm not Jewish, and because the Israeli government thinks non-Jews are potential threats to its security, I do solemnly swear my allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state."
Not Jewish in Israel? Repeat after me: Because I’m not Jewish, and because the Israeli government thinks non-Jews are potential threats to its security, I do solemnly swear my allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state.”
Israel’s Cabinet easily passed a controversial bill Sunday to require non-Jewish citizens to swear an oath to the “Jewish and democratic” state. –JCL
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...The Guardian:
The Israeli cabinet today approved a bill requiring new non-Jewish citizens to swear an oath of allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state”, in a move that has brought accusations of discrimination against Israel’s Arab minority. One dissenting cabinet minister referred to a “whiff of fascism”.
The bill, originally promoted by the rightwing foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who has made the issue of loyalty a hallmark of his political career, was passed by a big majority despite the opposition of Labour party members.
The loyalty oath will be required of non-Jews seeking to become Israeli citizens, mainly affecting Palestinians from the West Bank who marry Palestinian citizens of Israel.
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The opposition leader's ties to ultra-nationalist party chief Lieberman appear to strengthen ahead of the March 2 vote.
This throws the country’s paralyzed political system into further disarray and threatens the long-time leader’s grip on power.
The far-right leader has failed to form a government, but it's possible his rival, Benny Gantz, will also fall short.
Its historic move gives the Blue and White Party chairman the edge over Netanyahu; maverick Lieberman is still the key power broker.
Initial exit polls show the longtime Israeli leader is falling short of securing a parliamentary majority with his hard-line allies.
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