The controversial nation-state bill passed the initial proposal to the Knesset, which means that the bill will now undergo further debate on its way to approval.
By MAARIV ONLINEUpdated: MAY 1, 2018 09:40Special committee to pass the Basic Law: Israel, the Nation-State of the Jewish People committee chairman Amir Ohana (Likud) , Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The Knesset passed the controversial nation-state bill with a majority of 64 voting in favor of the bill and 50 against in its first reading on Tuesday.The controversial nation-state bill passed the initial proposal to the Knesset, which means that it will now undergo further debate on its way to approval.The controversial bill establishes the status of the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people and affirms the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in their historic homeland. The bill consists of the validation of details such as state symbols, Jerusalem as the nation's capital and the right of return to Jews in the diaspora.Future components of the bill, which are subject to omission and revision in future readings of the bill, include that Hebrew will be the official language of the state, with Arabic receiving a unique status.In addition to the current bill, the Knesset passed a series of additional laws requiring the presence of members of Knesset at panels.The government bill initiated by Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked authorizes the cabinet to order the start of a war, a departure from the current rule, which requires the approval of the entire government. Another bill is to be presented to the Knesset on Tuesday from MK Dr. Anat Barako (Likud) which seeks to prevent candidates convicted of terrorism from running for Knesset elections.The nation-state bill remains subject to passage in both a second and third reading in the Knesset.
