Israeli Arabs warn against dangers of 'racist legislation'

The Israeli Arab Higher Monitoring Committee issued an urgent letter to President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin on Saturday, warning of the possible ramifications of recent legislation proposals made by right wing MKs.

According to the letters, this legislation could have "grave and existential" consequences for Israel's Arabs.

The committee convened an emergency meeting on Saturday in response to a recent spate of legislation the committee has described as "racist and fascist" and aimed against Israel's Arab public. The legislation includes a bill to outlaw the mourning of the Nakba, or catastrophe, of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Arabs from Israel on the day of its establishment. Another bill aims to require anyone who wishes to become an Israeli citizen to take an oath of loyalty to Israel as a "Jewish, Zionist and democratic state." A third bill, which has already gained initial Knesset approval, aims to make it a crime to publicly deny Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

Following the emergency meeting, the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee decided to approach international and Arab bodies in regard to the bills, as well as to consider legal action, whether in Israel or abroad, including involving the international court of justice in Hague.

Committee Chairman Mohammed Zeidan said that the organization would soon approach foreign ambassadors and diplomats stationed in Israel and ask to meet with them privately and urgently in order to present Israel's treatment of its Arab population. Zeidan added that the committee also plans to approach Jewish bodies in efforts to enlist their support in the battle against this legislation.