Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 31, 2009 Sivan 8, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:34 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
47 MKs back bill to jail deniers of 'Jewish state'
By Nadav Shragai and Mazal Mualem

The Knesset approved in preliminary reading a bill setting one-year imprisonment for anyone publicly calling to change the definition of Israel as a "democratic and Jewish state". This is in case "the content of the statement is reasonably likely to lead to actions of hatred, contempt or disloyalty to the state, its authorities or its lawfully established legal institutions." Forty-seven MKs supported the bill, 34 opposed and one, Knesset chairman Reuven Rivlin, abstained.

MK Zevulun Orlev (Habayit Hayehudi) argued for his proposal by recalling the case of former MK Azmi Bishara, who left Israel after being suspected of spying for Hezbollah. "This story teaches us that statements turn very quickly into deeds. Bishara's incessant proclamations against Israel's identity as a Jewish state very quickly evolved into actions of visiting hostile countries like Syria and Lebanon, and then suspicions of passing information to the enemy during the Second Lebanon War. Israel's character as Jewish and democratic must be retained," Orlev said.
Advertisement

The debate over the vote saw fierce arguments erupt between the coalition and opposition MKs. Attacking the proposal, Meretz chairman Haim Oron said: "Have you lost all faith in Israel as a Jewish and democratic state? This crazy government, what on earth are you doing? A thought police? Have you all lost it? It's the right of any Israeli citizen to say they think a Jewish and democratic state is wrongly formulated. I disagree with them, but this has nothing to do with criminal law. Get off it."

MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad) said the bill implied that "many of the intellectuals who support a democratic state for all its citizens belong in jail," and said the proposal was "insane." MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) responded by telling Zahalka the state was Jewish, "and if you don't like it you should leave." Zahalka said this country was his homeland, and invited Eldad to go back to "wherever you came from."

MK Roni Bar-On (Kadima), who voted against the bill along with most members of his party, said "A Jewish state is made, not talked about," and added that the bill was "superfluous, petty and unwise," as all its provisions have already been covered by existing legislation. Other Kadima MKs said the only extremism present in the session came from the Netanyahu coalition, which tramples over the foundations of Israeli democracy.

MK Ahmed Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) said: "We will not recognize Israel as a Jewish-Zionist state. Such laws will not deter us." He also speculated the coalition may soon propose a law of "banning being appalled by the occupation, punishable by five years in prison."

Orlev defended his proposal by calling its criticism "demagogic censorship."

"If anyone publishes a document that calls to cancel the Jewish and democratic character of the state," he said, "and asserts that Israel is not the state of the Jewish people, and any of this can bring about damage or subversion - he will be imprisoned for one year."
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Mistaken identity
How did a Cornell professor become the prime suspect in an anti-Semitic murder?
'Enemies'
Can you tell the difference between an Israeli and a Palestinian?
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
 Haaretz Hot Topics
The Pope in the Holy Land
Durban II conference
Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
Israel vs. Hamas
Air strike in Sudan
More Headlines
01:31 Israel: U.S. demand for settlement freeze 'not fair'
00:06 Israel's fourth president Ephraim Katzir dies at 93
00:08 Abbas: U.S. is committed to ending settlement construction
18:52 Hamas: Abbas mustn't relinquish our rights for a 'U.S. illusion'
20:51 Israeli Arabs warn against dangers of 'racist legislation'
18:03 Lebanon charges four with collaborating with Israel
19:23 Can you tell the difference between an Israeli and a Palestinian?
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
01:16 How did a Cornell professor become the prime suspect in an anti-Semitic murder?
17:47 Iran think tank: Ahmadinejad distorting facts about nuclear program
00:00 Settlers, leftists clash near West Bank village of Safa
17:46 Lebanon on 'full alert' ahead of IDF Home Front Command drill
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved