May 27th, 2009 by Cecile

Jeremy Ben-Ami, Executive Director of J Street, has released a statement speaking out against legislation currently under consideration in Israel that could “dramatically limit the civil and democratic rights of Israeli citizens.” The laws in question seek to punish anyone speaking against Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state with a one year prison sentence, along with conditioning citizenship on pledging allegiance to Israel as a Jewish state, and outlawing Nakba demonstrations.

Ben-Ami argues, “[w]hat was months ago just the racist campaign platform of Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu Party (and secured only 15 of the Knesset’s 120 seats) is now an active legislative agenda for a range of right-wing parties, being advanced in the Knesset. These proposals threaten not just the health of Israel’s democracy but the soul of the the Jewish people. Targeting the Arab Israeli minority for discriminatory treatment and punishment is anti-democratic, offends basic Jewish values, and threatens to undermine Israel’s own national interest.”

Posted in Freedom, Human Rights, Israel, Legislation |