Understanding the Nation-State Law By Steven Schimmel Israel's recently enacted Nation-State legislation has caused controversy both in Israel and here in the United States. Immediately after its passage dozens of harshly critical articles popped up in media sources around the world. Detractors claim the bill changes the equal status of Israeli citizens, related to ethnicity, race and religion. Much of the criticism has focused on the law's perceived failure to balance between the country's character as both a Jewish state and a democracy. Since the founding of the country in 1948, Israel has been guided by the principles written in its Declaration of Independence which IN refers to "complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex." Critics of the recent legislation note that similar language is absent from the Nation-State law. While the law did not revoke any rights or privileges of any group, there are concerns from many both in Israel and abroad that its passage reflects the increasing aggressiveness of right-wing political parties in Israel. Supporters of the bill have responded to critics, saying that the rights of all of the country's citizens are enshrined in other laws, and that affirming the country's Jewish character in no way diminishes the rights of any citizen. Since becoming law on July 19 large demonstrations have taken place in Israel, including protests from Israel's Druze community, which numbers around 150,000 and is seen as a very loyal minority group. Druze leaders have been especially vocal in protest of the law's passage, claiming the law makes their community second-class citizens. A turning point came on the night of August 4, when large demonstrations were held around the country, including a mass protest in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. Coalition ministers immediately responded to these protests, expressing assurances that they would quickly address the concerns of the Druze community. The Prime Minister's
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Rosh Hashanah/Fall 2018