'Softened' Nakba law passes 1st reading

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Knesset votes in favor of controversial bill proposed by Yisrael Beiteinu. 'This is how we will take care of enemy,' MK Miller says. MK Tibi: Another black day for Knesset

Amnon Meranda

As riots continue in Jerusalem, Yisrael Beiteinu can put another mark in their win column for passing one of its signature legislations. After passing the civil marriage law on Monday, the "Nakba law" passed in a first reading on Tuesday that will allow the State to revoke government funding for groups that act "against the principles of the country."

The version passed on Tuesday is considered "softened" in comparison with the bill's original wording.

Following a boisterous discussion in the Knesset plenum, 15 Knesset members supported the bill, while eight voted against it.

According to the bill, the finance minister will be authorized to decrease the budget for bodies receiving government funding if they are found responsible for activities denying the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, instances of racial incitement, violence or terrorism, or provide support for armed struggle or terrorism against the country.

Among the activities forbidden by the "Nakba law" are marking Independence Day and the founding of Israel with mourning ceremonies and vandalizing or physical disdain towards the flag and State symbols.

"The damage you have done in the past half a year is equivalent to you not being eligible to receive funding from now on for another 50 years," MK Ilan Ghilon (Meretz) slammed the members of Yisrael Beiteinu.

On the other side, MK Alex Miller (Yisrael Beiteinu) accused Ghilon of "defending terrorists," and said, "The law will take care Israel's enemies and will defend democracy." ...

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[Violet_Crumble]

1. They've made mourning ceremonies illegal?

That'd be exactly the same as if the govt here banned indigenous mourning of Australia Day and banned it being referred to as Invasion Day. Even though we had a very RW govt for 11 years, no laws such as those were put forward, and if they had been they'd have been just as appalling to me as this one from an extreme RW govt in Israel is.

[Dick Dastardly]

2. It doesnt ban or make it illegal. It revokes government funding to groups who engage

in those activities. If a group does not recieve government funding then it has no effect on them.

[Ken Burch]

3. What part of "a democratic country doesn't try to suppress dissent" do you not get?

It's not like the Israeli government HAS to do things like this just to keep the country going.

And if that government had treated Israeli Arabs as full equals with everyone else from the moment the State was created, it's likely that the Israeli Arabs wouldn't even identify with Palestinians. This is what happens when you do "separate but equal". This is what ALWAYS happens.

[Douglas Carpenter]

4. an Arab-Israeli community organization or social service organization

which commemorates the Nakba would be denied government funding under this bill, "Among the activities forbidden by the "Nakba law" are marking Independence Day and the founding of Israel with mourning ceremonies"

I would guess that would mean quite a few organizations that work with the 20% Palestinian-Arab minority within Israel that have mourning ceremonies on May the 15th. Also community organizations that support the principle that Israel should be a state for all of its citizens could also be denied funding.