On July 19, the Knesset passed Israel’s 13th Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People (see English translation here) with a 62:55 majority and two abstentions. The bill has been at the heart of heated and longstanding debate among political leadership, Israeli activists, civil society and the public at large over whether Israel requires a Basic Law that affirms its character as a Jewish state, and the consequences for Israel’s democratic character and for its Arab citizens, the largest non-Jewish minority. Its passage has been met with polarized response in Israel and abroad, with widespread opposition from within Israel’s Arab society.
The Task Force hosted a conference call and published two updates on the controversy and response to the Law:
Discourse and Implications for Arab Citizens of Israel: Read the Update
This Task Force update provides an overview of the legislation and related discourse regarding its implications for Israel’s Arab society.
Arab, Druze, Government and Civil Society Responses: Read the Update
Critical responses to the Law have differed among community groups and interests. Debate has also been ongoing in the American Jewish community, with critics and supporters weighing in.
This call with two prominent Israelis focused on the current and potential implications of the Law for Israeli democracy, and for Israel’s Arab society in terms of status, sense of belonging and related discourse.