Contentious ‘Jewish state law’ upheld by Israeli court

A controversial law that defines Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people was upheld by the Supreme Court, which rejected claims by opponents that it discriminates against minorities.

In its ruling on Thursday, the court acknowledged shortcomings in the so-called Nation State Law. But it said it “did not negate Israel’s democratic character” outlined in other laws.

Proponents of the 2018 law claimed the legislation merely enshrined Israel’s existing Jewish character.

Critics said it further downgrades the status of Israel’s Palestinian minority, which makes up about 20 percent of the country’s population.

Adalah, a Palestinian 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”. It said it would “continue to work internationally to expose the discriminatory and racist nature of this law”.

Israel’s Palestinian citizens 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 job 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 “fulfilling the right to national self-determination in the state of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.”

It also downgraded Arabic from an official state language to one with “special status”.

The law’s passage prompted vocal opposition from the country’s Palestinian minority, particularly among Druze Israelis, who serve in the military.

A number of Palestinian rights groups and civil society organisations appealed to the court to strike down the law. An 11-judge panel, the court’s largest configuration, considered the case.

In its 10-1 decision, the court said “equal rights are granted to all citizens of the state, including minority groups.”

It said the right to national self-determination “does not deny recognised personal or cultural rights”.

The judges also said the law did not detract from the status of the Arabic language or preclude “the promotion of its status”.

The court’s only Palestinian justice, George Karra, was the lone dissenter calling the law discriminatory.

‘Essence’ of Israel

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

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

Legal expert Yuval Shany, vice president of the Israel Democracy Institute, an independent think-tank, said the law is largely symbolic and provides a constitutional “background” for judges to consider when weighing other cases.

But he said the ruling made clear that other laws, on issues such as equality and minority rights, would also have to be taken into account.

“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.