Suggested legislation requires MKs to swear loyalty to ‘Jewish State of Israel’

MK Miri Regev’s (Likud) bill that would require new Knesset members to swear allegiance to the Jewish State of Israel, will likely inspire the ire of Arab Knesset members.

By Moran Azulay

New legislation being put forth by a firebrand Likud Knesset member could force new Israeli legislators to swear loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state before they can join the Knesset ranks; a move which will likely infuriate Arab and leftist MKs.

With neither the wintery weather nor the stormy session on the ‘Jewish nationhood’ bill yet to pass, the Knesset is gearing up for another contentious debate next Sunday, when the Ministerial Committee for Legislation will discuss the proposal, by MK Miri Regev, which will put into a law the demand that parliamentarians swear allegiance to the Jewish state of Israel.

According to the new legislation, members of Knesset will be required to “faithfully serve the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and to follow the laws of the state.” Until now, new legislators were sworn in vowing to “uphold the principles of the State of Israel and to faithfully fulfill their mission in the Knesset.”

In her addendums to the proposal, the Likud member noted that the aim of the bill is to set into law the commitment of parliamentarians in Israel. “Every MK who swears allegiance to the Knesset will declare that he recognizes the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

“An oath of allegiance in this formulation will require an MK to have a stronger connection to Israel and to being a citizen like any other citizen of Israel, who has rights and obligations towards the state, its existence and security,” said Regev in a thinly veiled reference to Arab MKs’ ongoing critics of Israel and its defense force.

 

To continue reading, go to:

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4597114,00.html