Israeli Supreme Court upholds controversial Jewish state law

JERUSALEM (AP) – Israel’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a controversial law that defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people – rejecting claims by opponents that it discriminates against minorities.

In its decision, the court recognized the shortcomings of the so-called nation-state law. But he said the law “did not negate the democratic character of Israel” described in other laws.

Supporters of the 2018 law claimed that the legislation only enshrined Israel’s existing Jewish character. Critics said this further degraded the status of Israel’s Arab minority, which represents around 20% of the country’s population.

Arab citizens of Israel have the right to vote and are well represented in many professions, but nonetheless suffer from widespread discrimination in areas such as housing and the labor market.

The law was approved by the Knesset, or parliament, in July 2018. It defines Israel as the “nation state” of the Jewish people and adds that “the realization of the right to national self-determination in the state of Israel is unique to the Jewish people. ”He also demoted Arabic from an official state language to a“ special status ”language.

The law’s passage met with stiff opposition from the country’s Arab minority, especially among Druze Israelis, who serve in the military.

A number of Arab rights groups and civil society organizations have appealed to the court to repeal the law. A panel of 11 judges, the largest configuration of the tribunal, reviewed the case.

In its 10-1 decision, the court declared that “equal rights are accorded to all citizens of the state, including minority groups”. They said the right to national self-determination “does not negate recognized personal or cultural rights”. They also said the law did not undermine the status of the Arabic language or prevent “the promotion of its status”.

The court’s only Arab judge, George Karra, was the sole dissenter, calling the law discriminatory.

Justice Minister Gideon Saar, leader of the nationalist New Hope party, welcomed Thursday’s decision.

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He said the law “anchors the essence and character of Israel as a nation-state of the Jewish people” and “does not infringe the individual rights of any of the citizens of Israel.”

Adalah, an Arab rights group that tried to overturn the law, said the court upheld a law that “completely excludes those who do not belong to the majority group.” He said he “would continue to work internationally to expose the discriminatory and racist nature of this law.”

Legal expert Yuval Shany, vice president of the Israel Institute of Democracy, an independent think tank, said the law is largely symbolic and provides a constitutional “backdrop” for citizens to consider. judges when evaluating other cases. But he said the ruling made it clear that other laws, on issues such as equality and minority rights, should also be considered.

“Essentially, the court says you will have to explore these issues on a case-by-case basis when future legislation comes before us,” he said.