Israel’s new citizenship law
Inside Story discusses how the ‘Jewish loyalty oath’ could impact the Middle East peace talks.
The Israeli government deliberates a new citizenship law requiring an oath of allegiance to the Jewish character of the state.
Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has reintroduced a proposal requiring any non-Jew taking Israeli citizenship to swear allegiance to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
The controversial phrase added to citizenship law in move is seen by critics as attempt to get support for new settlement freeze.
Palestinians say the law would legitimise discrimination and the dispossession of the indigenous people.
Is a deal being cut to bolster peace talks? And what will happen to non-Jewish Israelis?
Joining the programme are Dr Ahmad Tibi, the leader of the Arab Nationalist Party in Israel and deputy speaker of the Knesset, Raanan Gissin, the former advisor to Ariel Sharon, and Libby Lenkinski Friedlander, the director of international relations at the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI).
This episode of Inside Story aired from Friday, October 8, 2010.