RAMALLAH, July 18 (JMCC) - Swearing an oath of loyalty to a “Jewish and democratic” state may soon become a requisite for new Israeli citizens.
Israel’s cabinet, which meets Sunday, is expected to approve this law, and extend measures that reduce the chances for Palestinians to achieve
citizenship.
The wording of the oath, which would apply to new applicants for citizenship, was slammed by Arab advocacy groups, who accused Israel of racist policies that attempt to link citizenship to ideology.
It's another step in the direction of getting the Arabs out of Israel, said Uri Avnery, a former MP and founder of the Israeli Gush Shalom peace movement. Parliament has become a lynching mob.
The new oath of allegiance, which would replace an existing oath to the State of Israel, appears to represent a watered-down version of legislation enthusiastically promoted by Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Foreign Minister. His law, which failed to clear parliament, was aimed at stripping Israeli Arabs of their citizenship if they failed to swear allegiance to the Jewish state.
Israeli Arabs, who comprise 20 percent of the population and live in some of the country's most under-privileged communities, have resisted such a loyalty oath on the grounds that only a state defined by all its different ethnic groups would make them feel equal.
Read more at
The Independent…