Arab League condemns Israeli approval of controversial Jewish nation-state law

The Arab League on Thursday condemned the Israeli parliament passing a law defining the country as the nation state of the Jewish people.


"All the bills Israel is trying to forcibly enforce are null and will not give any legitimacy to the Israeli occupation," the AL said in a statement.

The approval of the controversial bill is another bid to cement the occupation of Palestinian territories and wriggle out from recognizing Palestinian rights, the statement added.

The legislation, adopted by 62 votes to 55, makes Hebrew the country's national language and defines the establishment of Jewish communities as being in the national interest.

This would also include recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Hebrew as the official language. It will also grant Diaspora Jewry the right to return to Israel.

The bill also revokes Arabic of its status as an official language alongside Hebrew in Israel.

Officials from the Palestinian Liberation Organization called the law "racist" and said it legalized "apartheid."

The pan-Arab body warned that the bill will ignite discrimination and more attacks against Palestinians within the green line.

It urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards Palestinians and hold it accountable for all crimes and violations against Palestinians.
   (chinamedia)
 20/7/18