Israeli court upholds controversial “Jewish state law” Israeli-Palestinian conflict News

Critics say the law further reduces the situation of Israel’s Palestinian minority, which is 21% of the population.

The Supreme Court passed a controversial law defining Israel as a nation-state of the Jewish people, and ruled that opponents discriminate against minorities.

In its ruling on Thursday, the court recognized the shortcomings in the so-called National States Act. But he said he “did not deny the democratic nature of Israel” as explained in other laws.

Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online.

Critics say the situation of Israel’s Palestinian minority is declining, accounting for about 20% of the country’s population.

The Palestinian rights group Adalah, which tried to repeal the law, said the court had upheld “a law that completely excludes those who do not belong to the majority group.” “It will continue to work internationally to expose the discriminatory and racist nature of this law.”

Palestinian citizens of Israel have the right to vote and are well represented in many professions, yet they face widespread discrimination in areas such as housing and the labor market.

The law was passed by the Knesset or parliament in July 2018. He defines Israel as a “nation-state” of Jews and adds that “the fulfillment of the right to national self-determination in the state of Israel is unique. Jewish people.”

Moreover, Arabic fell from an official state language to a “special status”.

The passage of the law sparked opposition to the voice of the country’s Palestinian minority, especially among Druze Israelis engaged in military service.

Some Palestinian rights groups and some civil society organizations went to court to overturn the law. A jury of 11 judges, the largest configuration of the court, examined the case.

In its 10-1 decision, the court said it “gives equal rights to all citizens of the state, including minority groups.”

The right to national self-determination “does not recognize the denial of personal or cultural rights.”

Judges said the law does not remove the status of the Arabic language or prevent it from “promoting its status”.

The only Palestinian justice of the court, George Karra, was the only dissenter who called the law discriminatory.

Israel’s “Essence”

Justice Minister Gideon Saar, the leader of the New Hope nationalist party, welcomed the ruling on Thursday.

He said the law “anchors the essence and character of Israel as a nation-state of the Jewish people” and “does not violate the individual rights of any Israeli citizen.”

Law expert Yuval Shany, vice president of the Israel Institute for Democracy, an independent think tank, said the law is largely symbolic and is a constitutional “precedent” for judges to consider when examining other cases.

But he said the resolution makes it clear that other laws, such as equality and minority rights, should also be considered.

“Basically, the court says you will have to look at these issues on a case-by-case basis when we are faced with future legislation,” he said.