Israel's Nation-State Law Explained | NowThis World

Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s parliament passed a bill that officially declared Israel a Jewish state in July 2018. The ‘nation-state’ legislation defines things like Israel’s national holidays, symbols, and the state’s connection to Jewish heritage.

Supporters of the bill say at worst, it’s a symbolic nod toward Jewish unity that won’t actually impact the lives of citizens day-today - and, at best, a 'defining moment' for Zionism.

Critics - including many international Jewish groups - say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing majority coalition are bolstering 'tribalism' or, even more severely - 'apartheid.'

But what does this mean for the near quarter of Israel’s population that isn’t Jewish?

Well, the controversial ‘Nation-State’ bill declared Jewish settlement a 'national value' and made the right to national self-determination in Israel 'unique to the Jewish people.'

Key contentious clauses were removed late in the game, including one that would, ‘authorize a community composed of people having the same faith and nationality to maintain the exclusive character of that community.’ Basically - legal segregation based on religion or ethnicity.

Despite the ones that were removed, plenty of controversial sections also stayed put.

For example, the bill revokes the 70-year status Arabic had as an 'official' state language, downgrading it to a 'special status' and making Hebrew the state’s only official language.

We sat down with Aida Touma-Sliman, an Arab Israeli member of the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, for her take.

There’s been a lot of debate over the symbolism versus real world consequences of this law. What do you think? What kind of a concrete impact could it have on the population of Israel that’s not Jewish?

Let me know below. And thanks as always for tuning in to NowThis World.

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NowThis World is dedicated to bringing you topical explainers about the world around you. Each week we’ll be exploring current stories in international news, by examining the facts, providing historical context, and outlining the key players involved. We’ll also highlight powerful countries, ideologies, influential leaders, and ongoing global conflicts that are shaping the current landscape of the international community across the globe today.

[lilpp]

Wow Even celebrates talk about it? The gods have spoken people bow down.

[NK-iwrq]

I stand with justice . Both sides deserve peace. But this can never happen if one side is treated as second class citizens .

[fabeltjeskrantlezer]

Wut. I thought they were already a Jewish state. They have the Star of David on their flag.

[Joakim_Alm]

0:39 "Even celebrities are speaking up about it". Well, okay then. I guess you're right since celebrities are saying it.

[tommi_natti]

celebrities are speaking up about it!!!! Someone stop the press....

[sownheard]

So the law is basically legal discrimination :c

[LetsGoGetThem]

im tired of these light color Los Angeles productions with a soft spoken host lulling me into a false sense of security while omitting details from every story set to kalimba music. Anyone else?

[piercerovine]

Are you clowns gonna say anything about “Muslim states”

[username]

This is a formalization of a core idea that has been a part of Israel's character since before the country was formed.

[ashrafalsaadoon]

non-jews minority in Israel can be a doctor, a soldier, a prime minister, and a teacher
what discrimination are you talking about it?
even an Arab judge sent a Jewish president to jail

[Maxdanger]

Very well researched but you should interview people from both sides to seem less biased

[whodatson]

Did this lady really just claim that Arabic has ALWAYS been spoken by the indigenous people of this land FOREVER ?? That is just patently false, with minimal research even. Let’s begin:

Arabic is part of the Semitic language tree. However it is in its own branch, separate from the languages of the ACTUAL indigenous people of the Levantine region. These languages include Amorite, Ugaritic, Canaanite languages, Aramaic languages, and Hebrew. The reason these branches are separate is because Arabic was isolated from the other branches of the Semitic language tree in Arabia.

Arabic was not spoken by the people of the Levant until the Arabic conquest of the region from 634-638AD. Considering the Canaanites and Hebrews occupied the area since at LEAST biblical times. This hardly makes Arabic “indigenous” to what is modern day Israel, or anywhere in the Levant for that matter. Arabic is indigenous to Arabia and no where else.

[socktier]

Imagine if native Americans said they want they’re land back, as in North America. I know that’s impossible, but im hypothetically speaking. Some Jews were already living in palestine before Palestine got invaded in 1947. Saying they have a 4, 000 year old right to the land isn’t a reason for taking over the land of people who have been living there for hundreds of years. Then when the Palestine’s get invaded and get angry everyone acts shocked. It’s disgusting what has happened to the Palestinian people as they have now become second class citizens being oppressed much like, and even worse because the Israeli government is bombing them, black people during the Jim Crow era.

[ashrafalsaadoon]

why some people hate Israel for being nation-state but they don't hate European countries and Japan for being nation-states?

[jesse]

I don’t understand what special right this law give to jews it just removed an official language, claimed a capital and said settlement of jews is a value, didnt say specifically west bank settlement

[AMPizza]

Your coverage is incredibly skewed and uneven.

[Simonjose]

Decent overall analysis but you could have included some interviews with Israeli Jews in support and against.

[aneeshbabu]

Jerusalem was the capital of Israel since Solomon. So what's wrong with that.

[qv]

I support the existence of a state of Israel but the fact that people like the Druze (there are many more such as the Bedouin) who have been historically persecuted throughout the Middle East and were finally accepted in the state of Israel as Israeli citizens who have spilt blood in defence of the state can now potentially not be considered citizens disgusts me.

[idalmkqly]

you are mixing two issues
in the case of 5:36 period the protest is about recognizing Israel as a not only Jewish country they didn't mention Palestine and the recognition Jerusalem as the capital of Israel because Druz people are supporting the county and even part of the army and they just want to get recognition as part of Israel country