Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People: Discourse and Implications for Arab Citizens of Israel

In the early hours of Thursday, July 19th, 2018, the Knesset passed Israel’s 13th Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, with a slim 62:55 majority and two abstentions. Its passage was by no means seen as a certainty, and the vote was tensely awaited by those in favor and in opposition alike. The bill has been at the heart of heated and longstanding debate among political leadership, Israeli activists, civil society and the community at large, over whether Israel requires a Basic Law that affirms its character as a Jewish state, and what the consequences are for Israel’s democratic character and for its Arab citizens—who comprise the vast majority of Israel’s non-Jewish population. Its passage has sent shockwaves through Israel’s Arab society, and has been met with polarized response from within Israel and abroad, including widespread condemnation from critics alongside expressions of praise and support.