Israel has out of date a law declaring that only Jewish people have the right of self-determination in the boonies.
“This is a defining moment in the annals of Zionism and the history of the state of Israel,” thought Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the vote in parliament on Thursday, which was performed two months after the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding.
Members of the Arab minority oblige criticized the law as “racist and verging on apartheid,” according to Reuters.
“Israel’s Arabs billion some 1.8 million, about 20 percent of the 9 million natives,” Reuters reported. These consist mainly of descendants of Palestinians, the statement agency detailed. Most are Muslim and live in the north of the country.
The new legislation was toned down from above drafts, which were more radical. The current bill “also decorticates Arabic of its designation as an official language alongside Hebrew,” Reuters state.
Tel Aviv’s TSE 35 Index was lower by a slim margin around 7 a.m. ET, down by 0.2 percent. In the intervening time, the U.S. dollar was 0.4 percent higher against Israel’s shekel.
For varied on how Israel’s new law is viewed in the country, see here.