Israel Passes Law Restricting Right of Self-Determination to Jewish People

The story

Israel passed a law on Thursday to declare that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country, something members of the Arab minority called racist and verging on apartheid.

The law defines Israel as the homeland of Jewish people and declares that “the realization of the right to national self-determination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people,” Haaretz reports.

Why it matters

Some critics say the law betrays Israel’s Declaration of Independence, which enshrined principles of equality.

The law promotes the development of Jewish communities, which could pave the way for an expansion of settlement activity on disputed land, which the international community considers illegal.

Source: Haaretz

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said:

“We will keep ensuring civil rights in Israel's democracy but the majority also has rights and the majority decides.”

The New York Times expounds:

“With the political opposition too weak to mount a credible threat, and with the Trump administration providing a never-before-seen degree of American support, Mr. Netanyahu’s government, the most right-wing and religious coalition in Israel’s 70-year history, has been pressing its advantages on multiple fronts.”

Haaretz says the move – along with several others in recent days – shows “that Israel is no longer a country for those who believe that there is more than one way to observe Judaism.”

Israeli Arabs and Palestinians have long reported prejudice in their access to services and education, and many fear this law will only worsen matters.

What do you think?

Should the U.S. support Israel, its ally, in this move? Should the U.S. use its relationship with Israel to urge the country to protect its democratic and egalitarian principles? Hit Take Action to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Sara E. Murphy

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / Joel Carillet)