47 MKs back bill to jail deniers of 'Jewish state'

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.

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."