Israel is now officially an Apartheid state?

[Ludicus]

On 20 September 2006, UN, Israeli Foreign Minister said,HE Tzipi Livni - UN.org

On last year, a great leader of Israel, Ariel Sharon, stood before this forum and said : "The Palestinians will always be our neighbors . We respect them, and have no aspirations to rule over them . They are also entitled to freedom mid to a national, sovereign existence in a state of their own

On 19 November 2008, the Israeli Foreign Minister addressed the United Jewish Communities Address by FM Livni to the UJC GA - Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In her speech, she announced,

These two goals of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state must coexist and not contradict each other

In 2016, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned that if Israel rejects a two-state solution, John Kerry Defends Two-State Solution, Rebukes Israeli Settlements ...

...it can be Jewish or it can be democratic-it cannot be both

But, can be Israel be both a democracy and a religious state at the same time? please discuss. I don't think so: Israel is now officially an apartheid state and a theological state.

Israeli parliament endorses 'nation-state bill' for first reading | Israel ... - and does not mention the word "democracy". The law was also supported by religious-Zionist and ultra-Orthodox MKs.

The Israeli Knesset voted 62 to 55 early today, Thursday, 19 July 2018, to approve the Jewish Nation-State Basic Law that constitutionally enshrines the identity of the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.

Symptomatically, Israeli parliament votes to ban state and army critics from schools

Israel’s parliament has passed a law that could ban groups critical of the armed forces or the state from entering schools and speaking to students...for example, an Israeli rights group that submits an unfavorable report to a UN agency.

Israel Ultra-orthodox establishment is consolidating its power. In parallel, it's funny to hear the Ultra Orthodox protests, "Go to jail rather than join the Zionist army!"

Ultra-Orthodox Jews Protest Against Military Conscription - The Media ...



They are 15% of the population- and growing!

--
Israel in turmoil over bill allowing Jews and Arabs to be segregated

The debate has also opened a rift with the Jewish diaspora, with fears among more liberal American Jewish groups that it would prioritise Orthodox communities over other denominations.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, said the bill was a grave threat to Israeli democracy and hurt “the delicate balance between the Jewish majority and Arab minority, and it enthrones ultra-Orthodox Judaism at the expense of the majority of a pluralistic world Jewry”.
Daniel Sokatch, the chief executive of New Israel Fund, which supports civil rights groups in Israel, decried the bill as “tribalism at its worst”.

Israel passes Jewish nation law branded 'racist' by critics | The ...

The EU joined Israeli Arab political leaders, Israeli opposition politicians and liberal Jewish groups in the US in flagging up concern, with some saying the law amounted to “apartheid”.

So, is Israel an apartheid state?

[95thrifleman]

You do know that all signs in Israel are both in arabic and hebrew and that arabic is taught as a second language in schools right?

[sumskilz]

The law was also supported by religious-Zionist and ultra-Orthodox MKs.

Not really, they weren't on board because it didn't grant them special privileges, and were only brought on board at the last minute by Netenyahu making concessions elsewhere:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday dashed to the Knesset for the express purpose of voting against a measure that would have extended surrogacy rights to same-sex couples — two days after publishing a video explaining why he supports the idea.

The surrogacy bill passed the Knesset vote as expected, but without the clause allowing it for men, which was proposed by openly gay MK Amir Ohana, a member of Netanyahu’s own Likud party.

Netanyahu was acting on the demands of the ultra-Orthodox parties, which oppose giving gay men the right to father children through surrogacy, Channel 10 news reported. In return, the ultra-Orthodox parties reportedly agreed to support the Jewish nation-state bill, another controversial piece of legislation, which is up for its final votes this week.

Caving to ultra-Orthodox, Netanyahu about-faces on gay surrogacy rights

Israel Ultra-orthodox establishment is consolidating its power. In parallel, it's funny to hear the Ultra Orthodox protests, "Go to jail rather than join the Zionist army!"

This is nothing new, they've historically been pretty hostile to Zionism, despite benefiting immensely from the state it created.

They are 15% of the population- and growing!

All due to their fertility rate, 7.59 last I read. It's not uncommon for families to have twelve kids.

Israel in turmoil over bill allowing Jews and Arabs to be segregated

Foreign media have no idea what they're talking about on the issue of community settlements, or they're being deliberately dishonest. Mostly community settlements discriminate against Jews. In any case, that section was removed from the bill before it passed.

The bill itself is symbolic, in reality it changes nothing, and creates nothing but drama and an opportunity for the ruling coalition to pretend that they have accomplished something meaningful.

[Genghis Skahn]

Here's another for ya, OP:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-44881554

[Exarch]

It's also illegal to photograph or film Israeli soldiers killing and maiming Palestineans; so glad Israel is touted as the only democracy in the middle east!

[95thrifleman]

I'm torn when it comes to Israel. Despite the fact they gained independence through acts of terrorism (look up the St David hotel sometime), they are a remakable and feisty nation and Israel Tal is one of my heroes. They exist through the oldest of rights, right of conquest and have secured and held their ground against all of the neighbours.

I also have some sympathy for thier situation in regards to terrorism, due to my own nation's issues with the IRA. I can not agree with Israeli tactics, being somewhat too heavy handed and counterproductive. However I do not think they can be called an aparthied state. Non-jews in Israel have the same rights and freedoms as jews.

When we see the same kind of discrimination against non-jews that we saw in South Africa or in America during the 50's, 60's and 70's then we can start throwing that term around.

[hellheaven1987]

Come on, they cannot even agree the definition of Jew and probably have to adopt the meaning set up by Nazis...

[Geronimo2006]

The law is quite polarising and unnecessarily divisive.

[Ludicus]

There are a lot of Netanyahu's fans here. I'm not surprised (1)
In Israel, now more than ever, the state is run according to a religious, holistic vision/law,not according to principles of modern Western law. The new law omits any mention of democracy or the principle of equality.
Israeli Law Declares the Country the 'Nation-State of the Jewish

Its passage demonstrated the ascendancy of ultranationalists in Israel’s government,(1) who have been emboldened by the gains of similarly nationalist and populist movements in Europe and elsewhere, as Mr. Netanyahu has increasingly embraced illiberal democracies like that of Hungary — whose far-right prime minister, Viktor Orban, arrived in Jerusalem for a friendly visit only hours before the vote.

Dan Yakir, chief legal counsel for the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, said that while largely only declaratory, the new law “will give rise to arguments that Jews should enjoy privileges and subsidies and rights, because of the special status that this law purports to give to the Jewish people in Israel.”

“In that regard,” he added, “this is a racist law.

-----
It's quite clear that the new law has divided the Jewish people- but with resistance in the diaspora even greater than in Israel itself.Obviously.Jewish groups around the world criticise the new law,

Board of Deputies criticises Israel's new 'regressive' Nation State law ...

Israel’s new Nation State law contains regressive measures that risk decaying the country’s democracy and diversity, the Board of Deputies of British Jews has said.
Adam Ognall, chief executive of the New Israel Fund's UK branch, said: ... This law has betrayed those values. It is a slap in the face to Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel. Legislation that identifies first- and second-class citizens has no place in a democracy.

As British Jews who enjoy the protection of our rights as a minority in the UK, we must speak up in opposition to this racist bill which turns minorities in Israel into second class citizens.

The American Jewish Committee said it was "deeply disappointed" by the passing of the bill, criticising two elements that "put at risk the commitment of Israel’s founders to build a country that is both Jewish and democratic"

--
Edit- it should be known that Obama blocked/barred barred Israel from passing Nationality Law, he worked to ensure that the Nationality Law would not be passed by the Knesset.
-----
And,
Believe it or not, Barack Obama had Israel's best interest at heart | Guardian

Things came to a head following the passage of UN Security Council resolution 2334 on 23 December with 14 votes in support and only the US abstaining. The resolution condemns Israel’s settlements on the West Bank as a flagrant violation of international law; demands that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem”; and reiterates the international consensus in favour of a two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Obama administration allowed the resolution to be adopted because by their lights it was not anti-Israeli but, on the contrary, essential for preserving Israel as a Jewish and democratic country. For them this was a last-ditch attempt to arrest Israel’s slide towards apartheid and to preserve the possibility of a peaceful solution.

Obama clearly understood that Israel will be more secure if Palestinians have a state.

[sumskilz]

The law is quite polarising and unnecessarily divisive.

Pretty much this, like I said before, it doesn't actually do anything except make the ruling coalition look like they've accomplished something, at the expense of creating a lot of tension with diaspora Jews. Netenyahu is currently under a lot of pressure from the right to act more aggressively to stop the fire kite, balloon, and mortar attacks that have been happening daily in the south for several months now.

[hellheaven1987]

Netenyahu is currently under a lot of pressure from the right to act more aggressively to stop the fire kite, balloon, and mortar attacks that have been happening daily in the south for several months now.

Yet the right is divide into pro-religion and pro-nationalism too, so Netenyahu ultimately would have to choose which "right" he wants to side with.

That is probably why Sharon ultimately decides to ditch both right and left since they are all retard in the end...

[swabian]

@Sumskilz: What of Arab-Israeli citizenship? Can they still vote? Roughly what kind of restrictions do they face now?

[sumskilz]

Yet the right is divide into pro-religion and pro-nationalism too, so Netenyahu ultimately would have to choose which "right" he wants to side with.

Well, you only have to look at his coalition to see why he's so seemingly schizophrenic...

Number of seats currently held, followed by the party and their ideology, roughly speaking:

30 Likud, center-right, secular, conservative, economically liberal

10 Kulanu, centrist, secular, socially liberal, economic egalitarianism

10 The Jewish Home, right, religious, socially conservative, economically liberal, Modern Orthodox interests, settler interests

7 Shas, centrist, religious, socially conservative, Haredi interests, Sephardi and Mizrahi interests

6 United Torah Judaism, centrist, religious, socially conservative, Haredi interests

5 Yisrael Beitenu, right, secular, economically liberal, "Russian" interests

Now all he needs to do to maintain power is to please them all.

@Sumskilz: What of Arab-Israeli citizenship? Can they still vote? Roughly what kind of restrictions do they face now?

They can still vote, there are no restrictions, they still have all the same rights, this bill literally changes nothing for them. This effects none of their rights in any way.

Arabic still has all the same legal status in every way. In real terms, Arabic as a language with special status is exactly the same as Arabic as an official language, only now there is a bill that refers to it as a special status language instead of an official language. Every aspect of the bill is empty words that have no real effect, except to satisfy some people and upset some other people.

[swabian]

Ugh... I see. It sounded so good at first glance. I'm surprised. I thought Netanyahu is usually a good geostrategist. This is going to be ruthlessly exploited and disavowed by Israels open and covert enemies, for no gain at all, it seems.

[sumskilz]

Ugh... I see. It sounded so good at first glance. I'm surprised. I thought Netanyahu is usually a good geostrategist. This is going to be ruthlessly exploited and disavowed by Israels open and covert enemies, for no gain at all, it seems.

This idea has been bouncing around for awhile, but the reason it came to the forefront right now I think, is because Netanyahu is looking kind of week and ineffectual and so is afraid he's going to lose control to those to his right. One thing that characterizes Netanyahu, that most people outside Israel don't realize, is that he's very risk averse, much more cautious than previous Israeli PMs. He was apparently freaked out by the bad international press/pressure over the riots in Gaza, so now when the army claims they can stop the kite and balloon attacks without directly firing on the perpetrators, he's giving them a chance to try, but it's gone on for months, and people are outraged when things like a balloon with an explosive device attached lands on a kindergarten playground. Luckily adults saw it first, but a lot of the public are asking why the IDF is not firing on these people.

So the bill is an attempt at right wing street cred, but characteristically cautious in that it doesn't actually do anything.

[swabian]

Apardheid (meaning "apartness") includes a lot more. The thread title is inciting to participate at a topic in a prejudiced way. Others would say it's "racist" and they would be heard.

[Ludicus]

it doesn't actually do anything

Come on, sumskilz. The new law of nationalism is the last nail in the coffin of the so-called Israeli democracy.

What of Arab-Israeli citizenship? Can they still vote?

Still is the right word.
The right of equality is not specified anywhere in the basic rules.Israel doesn't have a constitution.There is no constitution anchoring the rights of its citizens. The law can overrule the right of "equality". Hmm..equality, what equality? in the new law there is no mention of mention of equality or minority rights.
This is crystal clear...as the father of one of two Druze police officers killed by arabs in a shooting attack last year put it, "The nationality law is a mark of Cain on the forehead of everyone who votes for it".

The thread title is inciting to participate at a topic in a prejudiced way. Others would say it's "racist" and they would be heard.

Really?
Have you bothered to read the previous posts? the comments made by the Jewish diaspora?

More?
"Nation-State Bill" Is Tribalism At Its Worst ... - New Israel Fund

This week, the Israeli government is working to advance the “Nation-State Bill” in the Knesset. Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund, released the following statement:

“This is tribalism at its worst. Beginning with Israel’s Declaration of Independence, the Jewish value of human dignity and the principle of the equality of all people have formed the democratic foundation of the state. This law is completely incompatible with those values. It is a slap in the face to Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel and provides a legal basis to discriminate based on religion, race, and sex. Legislation that identifies first- and second-class citizens has no place in a democracy.


“Basic laws should define the fundamental values of the state. If racism, sexism, and religious fundamentalism are to be protected in Israel’s basic laws, it should be no surprise when the country embodies those values. This bill and the government that supported it are a danger to Israel’s future.”

[sumskilz]

Come on, sumskilz. The new law of nationalism is the last nail in the coffin of the so-called Israeli democracy.

The law was passed via a 51% vote by the Israeli democratically elected parliament. It can be altered or revoked by a 51% vote of any democratically elected Israeli parliament in the future (according to the law itself). The law is objectively a product of Israeli democracy.

Clearly a nation passing a law through a legitimate democratic process doesn't suddenly become anything other than a democracy simply because said law is unpopular with foreigners.

[Ludicus]

Clearly a nation passing a law through a legitimate democratic process doesn't suddenly become anything other than a democracy simply because said law is unpopular with foreigners.

(Good try)
Ah, foreigners.
Yes, it's really unpopular with foreigners.So, are you talking about the Jewish Diaspora? thinking about it,are the foreign American Jews giving up on Israel?

--

Progressive Jews blast new nation-state law as 'danger to Israel's ...

A group of 14 American Jewish organizations directed their deep concerns about the bill to incoming Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog, who still serves as leader of the opposition in the Knesset. The organizations said the bill would eliminate “the defining characteristic of a modern democracy” – protecting rights for all.

----

Israel's Nationality Law will humiliate the Jews of the Diaspora JTA.

Jews in America will never be able to understand what that means because for them, being American is being a citizen and a part of the nation.

...Israeli law would not require Jews in Israel to make any effort to accommodate Jews coming from the Diaspora. In other words, Israelis have nothing to learn from you and owe you no favors. We are the big brother; we know it all.

...If this law comes into being, the logical outcome should be that Israeli Jews turn around the current equation and send donations to Jews in America.

Precious.Damn foreigners!

[Prodromos]

I read an interesting article about this. Not sure how true it is, but interesting nonetheless.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fra...ple-1528844625

In that sense, Israel fulfills the Zionist goal of the “negation of the exile.” This is consistent with the existence of permanent Jewish communities outside the state of Israel. The end of exile as an unchosen political condition doesn’t mean the end of the diaspora as a voluntary condition.

The emergence of two permanent poles of Jewish life—one in Israel and one in the diaspora—offers new possibilities but also presents new challenges. The challenges are underscored by an American Jewish Committee survey released as its conference convened in Jerusalem.

In effect, Israeli Jews are a red state while American Jews are a blue state. Seventy-seven percent of Israeli Jews approve of President Trump’s handling of relations between the U.S. and Israel, compared with only 34% of American Jews. Eighty-five percent of Israeli Jews, but only 46% of American Jews, back Mr. Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the embassy there. Fifty-nine percent of American Jews would support dismantling at least some settlements as part of a final settlement with the Palestinians; only 39% of Israeli Jews would do so. Eighty percent of American Jews but only 49% of Israeli Jews favor allowing Conservative and Reform as well as Orthodox rabbis to officiate at Israeli weddings, divorces and conversions. And 73% of American Jews but only 42% of Israeli Jews support both sexes praying together at the Western Wall rather than the strict separation required by Orthodox Judaism.

Underlying these policy differences is a deep jurisdictional dispute. Although both American and Israeli Jews believe that they are part of one people, and that they benefit from one another’s strength, they are divided by citizenship. Relying on the idea of shared peoplehood, 53% of American Jews believe that it is appropriate for them to influence Israeli security issues. Speaking as citizens of a sovereign state, 68% of Israelis disagree.

When Israeli policy principally affects Israeli citizens, noncitizens may offer advice but cannot demand influence on the outcome. But when Israel acts as the guardian of the patrimony of the entire Jewish people, as it surely does with the Western Wall, it has a greater responsibility to weigh the views of the wider Jewish community. Because security issues occupy a gray zone in this continuum, Jews in and outside Israel will continue to debate not only the substance of these issues but also their respective claims to a stake in their resolution.