JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet has approved a bill that would require new citizens to pledge a loyalty oath to a “Jewish and democratic” state.
The language has triggered charges of racism from Arab lawmakers who see it as undermining the rights of the country’s Arab minority.
It has also stoked tensions with Palestinians at a time when fledgling peace talks are deadlocked over Israel’s refusal to extend a moratorium on new building in West Bank Jewish settlements.
The bill is backed by Yisrael Beitenu, a hard-line nationalist party whose leader, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s settlement slowdown. Sunday‘s vote may be a way to soften Lieberman’s opposition to extending the slowdown, though officials have denied there is any connection.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet is set to approve a controversial bill that will require new citizens to pledge allegiance to a “Jewish and democratic” state.
Introducing the measure to his Cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended it as reflecting the essence of Israel. He said Sunday that many in the world are trying to blur the connection between the Jewish people and their national homeland.
Though largely symbolic, the bill has angered both the Palestinians and Israel’s own Arab citizens.
Israel is demanding that the Palestinian recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people. The Palestinians refuse to do so for fear that it will undermine the status of Israeli Arabs and undercut the claims of Palestinian refugees.
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (60)
dizzyinthedark
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:10amNow why would the Arab and Palestinian muslims get their panties in a bunch over Israel’s right to make their pledge to their own country? muslims are always yelling about how THEY are a peaceful people–we’ll see about that!! PROVE IT! LIVE IT!!
Report Post »Mstr Smith
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 5:35amThis is the Oath new Americans take: I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 4:07amOsrael certainly te right to do this but it’s a dumb act that is meant to hurt some of its citizens. It simply inflames already tense relations.
Report Post »BECKONOMIST
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:38amsmells like spam
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:58amIf you think you are going to make friends here, your sadly mistaken.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:55amFindBidBuy, Why don’t you stay on topic? Yours is a very inappropriate and shameless advertisement.
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:48amWhy don’t you stop using this forum for your personal bulletin board?
Report Post »Lone-Wolf
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:28amSo the Loyalty Oath to Israel for new arrivals is now public. This doesn’t surprise me, all one has to do is look at all of the Dual Citizenship Cabinet Appointees of either Puppet I mean, errrr Presidents and see how our Foreign Policy is shaped by them.
“Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations – entangling alliances with none.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Report Post »138ss396
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:30pmWay to go Is Israel.
Report Post »Thunderstorm 316
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:09pmTake it home Isarel! And God and Jesus bless all of you we stand with you!
Report Post »jaazman1
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:38amalthough we have this free speech thing, then why is it we allow all these hate america freaks the right to trash our flag our country, I‘m one of those who say if you don’t like it leave it, so that we american that love our country, live in this great country without all this crap being throw in our faces, just because we allow free speech, true american don’t believe in or disrespect the country they live, so if you don’t like it here then leave we would be better off with them. say amen if you agree
Report Post »Joh Soler
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:04pmFinally they are doing some think right
Report Post »jreb50
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:51pmIt is Israel’s country, and they can do as they darn well please. I wish we had the testicular fortitude to do the same here in the United States.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:47pmThere is no reason for Israel to bend to the will of estremist Arabs, in matters of soverinty especially.
Report Post »We have a president and parts of Congress inexplicably kowtowing to illegals. Israel has a much stronger and wiser leadership than we. I look for Obama to ask Israel to reconsider what he will call a harsh law, as will most anti-semites.
Jimmers46
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:26pmI think any Soverign nation has a right and an obligation to demand loyalty. As in Our pledge of allegiance! I don’t remember hearing Obama recite ours btw.
Report Post »AmericanPatriot01
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:17pmIt’s just a matter of time before they go to war, we know this, why is it that everyone seems so surprised. its in the Bible, and it will happen.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:34pmExactly, and the scariest part is there is no mention of America. Something being destroyed before our very eyes.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:58pmUnited states has a similar requirement and that didn’t stop the Arab muslim Time Square Bomber loser person.
Report Post »JordyRod
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:52pmAnd what of those Palestinians who have been there since before the State was created? Who are not allowed to leave the country and are not welcomed by their Arab neighbors?
I support the Jewish state, but as someone who travels to Israel every year and has Palestinian friends who are already stuck between a rock and a hard place, cannot vote, wife cannot have a driver’s license, etc… this is just one more slap in the face to them.
We Americans like to paint this dilemma as a simple black and white issue. But it’s not. Good people who just want to live life and make sure their kids are safe and happy – are treated as second class non-citizens. And why? Because they had the misfortune of having their family roots in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’.
You can throw down the anti-islam card if you want, but these friends happen to be Christians. Good, decent, honest Christians. Trapped where they are and now being asked to pledge fealty to the government that withholds their rights? Not cool.
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:25pm” a bill that would require new citizens to pledge a loyalty oath to a “Jewish and democratic” state. ”
Key, new citizens. I hear what your saying, and have no first hand knowledge of the subject matter you speak of. I ask you, how would this effect current residents? I see it as an insurance to insure the democratic state and to also insure new citizens do not have religious beliefs to wipe out Jewish people. Something I think your Christian friends would understand.
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:45pmI can hear your furstration clearly. Life is not fair and your friends don’t have it fair at all. However, being Christian they should depend upon the grace of God and He will provide all they need. That is they are not Christian only in name. Israel is God’s chosen race and we Christian are Gods chosen people, the rest of the people don’t like that and it may not seem fair to be able to define the people of the world like that, but the truth is the truth and nothing, NOTHING, can change that. If I was in that situation and I know I am not, I would be seeking God intervention into the situation. I don’t think in reality that the people over there are really controlling the situation now. I believe that all things are now on the path of the endtimes and we will see BIG things happen over there soon. Your freinds should decide which side they are on and get out of the way if possible.
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »jaazman1
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:54ami’m one that says, if you chose to live in a country that is not your original country, then ajust to that countries laws and tradition, in public, and your own religions in you own institutions like mosques and any other place of worship, but not flaunt in the face of others that are not of you religious persuasions, as a christian I practice my religion in my institution, and don’t force mine on others, so why should we accept it from them, what I see is a blatant way to stick to anyone who dosen‘t follow there’s
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:51pmWe pledge allegiance to our country so why shouldn’t Israel. I am so tired of people going to other countries and then demanding the host country become the one they just left. How stupid.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:48pmI feel like this might not be a great idea. But I also think that we should let Israel and its enemies fight out their differences once and for all.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:02pmGreat, another world war?
Just because we don‘t get involved doesn’t mean Iran and it‘s allies won’t! If they fail to work it out peacefully, it will be devestating. Gas prices will go up, food prices, oh and let’s see…if things go in Israel‘s favor Iran is fastly approaching having nukes if they don’t have it already.
Report Post »V-Forge
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:41pmi’d be on a plane tomorrow to stand with them.
Report Post »flytb28
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:47pmBlah Blah Blah Blah, Arabs Angry. Sound familiar? Would someone tell me when, other than 9/11 Arabs weren’t angry?
Report Post »Mom of 4 Future Presidents
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:44pmGreat idea! I for one am sick of all the ass kissing of Muslims. I say do whatever it takes to keep Shariah law out of our countries.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:50pmWhat’s scary is they want to force it on you…what you want doesn’t matter. This isn’t about religion anymore this is about control and whose agenda will rule. Arabs are using Islam like Europeans used Christianity…to control people all over the world.
Report Post »calebgs83
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:35pmGood…we should do the same.
Report Post »the_patriot
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:30pmWe should indeed bring back our own pledge of allegiance. It is because of liberals and, dare I say communists, that our children no longer say the pledge in schools, that they cannot pray in public, etc. Ultimately, it is the communists (democrats, liberals, progressives, socialists, call-it-what-you-will, they are all the same thing) that are destroying our country, and the family unit.
The civil war is coming, and I am one who won’t refuse to take up arms against my communist, liberal, progressive, etc… neighbor when it all comes down to it.
Report Post »Iamtheoracle
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:30pmI have no problem with this. Israel as a nation belongs to the Israelites ( The Jews) Listen I think we should have an oath of allegiance… oh wait we do. I pledge allegiance to the United State….
Report Post »RealityCheck
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:17pmYep it’s just sad that oath is no longer respected. Kinda funny how Iran is gathering allies and well were in a hardcore fight amongst ourselves and 10 million plus illegal immigrants who work, pay no taxes and collect our tax dollars and have people in congress fighting to give them our tax dollars.
Report Post »GEW
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:18pmI was going to say the same thing about USA…you said it…ditto.
Report Post »flamedone1968
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:58pmI would like to invite everyone who refuses to say the pledge of allegiance to leave our country post haste.
Report Post »911
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:30pmI just saw this crazy video about muslims… http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplayer/cbnplayer.swf?aid=17933
Report Post »w4jle
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:38amWith all those butts in the air, a pellet gun could liven the day!
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 3:24am@911: More people need to see this video … FINALLY, the people of France are beginning to speak out against the Muslim takeover of their country. They are telling us of being forced to go against their “Constitution” to accommodate Islam whose believers will NOT compromise.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:27pmGood for the Isrealies, and personally I thought Arabs in the Middle East were always “mad”.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:40pmHmmm…I guess they want to go ahead to destroy Israel. These people are enslaved by hate.
Report Post »uhadenoughyet.com
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:57pmAnd by the way if it makes some Muslim and Non Muslims angry, I am just guessing here but I am thinking the Israeli’s would be more than happy to let them walk out, fly out, drive out or ride a camel out of Israel and into any one of the Angry Arab states that surround Israel!!
Report Post »Large Eagle
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:04pmWhy is it? – The left always says we have no right to impose our ideas and opinions on any other country. Especially in a military sense yet they act like we own Israel and they have to bow down to us. Hey just stop that housing track across the street from your local activist because it upsets them. I can wait for our government to start to impose the marshal law on us and maybe we will wake up.
I think I will start an effort to get a congressman to introduce a loyalty bill and see how many in the house and senate would sign it. Extreme times call for extreme measures.
Report Post »5
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:23pmTo all Racist, If you are a Christian you should know these are God chosen people. If you don’t think so you are not a good Christian and need to read the Bible more. Think of all the Countrys who have done the Jews wrong. It’s been going on for 5000 years and the Jews are still here. Stop hating the Jews.
In the final battle it will take the Enemies of the Israely people 7 years to bury their dead.
Report Post »READ THE BIBLE AND LOVE EVERYONE!
pscully17
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:42pmAmerica Needs to do this with Immigrants!! Hello, welcome to America!!, upon gaining residence here, you must take an Oath to Honor and Protect America!! Any public demonstration of Anti-American sentiment will result in Imprisonment! You will speak English in Pubic places, and you SHALL NOT BURN OUR FLAG! if you insist on RAH RAH-ing your previous country, we will deport you via crusie missile!
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:20pmSorry folks. I am gonna disagree. What is required is a loyalty oath to a “Jewish and democratic” state. Democratic, yes. Jewish No. Those saying USA should have a similar requirement would mean we would require others to pledge an oath to a “Christian and democratic” state. We don’t do that, we have freedom of religion. Yes, insist they pledge an oath to the Israeli democratic state, but do not ask Christians/Hindus/Muslims/Buddists living there to pledge an oath to a Jewish state. I am a Christian. by the way.
Report Post »karij
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:20pm@ LARGE EAGLE: Great idea. That’s a bill I will back.
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:21pmI agree good for the Isrealies, the Arabs have always been mad, they are just madder now.
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:33pm@Truthtalker,
I disagree with you, Isarel is by design a Jewish State and God is formost apart of the nation. They are living on the very Land that God gave to them as a Homeland. God cannot be seperated from the pleage. The Arabs don’t want to take an oath that ecknowledges that the Jews own the land and have a God given right to own it. They are not like this nation and they should not be. If anything we should be like them. I wouldn’t mind at all taking a pledge here in the US that said it was to a Christian nation. However, that is not going to happen. When you are thinking about Isarel you cannot think like an American at all. You would be wise to think about the Old Testament as a basis for thought about Isarel. That’s my opinon and I am sticking to it!
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »Jetson
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 11:40pmThey let arabs live in Israel? WTF??
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:04amJoseph, you forget. The British gave the land to the Israels. After WW2 .They should welcome all religions. Same as we do.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 1:12amBty way Joseph, checked out the websites regarding your art and am impressed. wish you the best.
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 2:40amConsidering just the fact that Israel exists makes them angry, let them be angry.
Report Post »Post-Progressive American
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 3:49am@Jetson: Yes, many Arabs live in Israel, and they are allowed to follow their religion and lead better lives than their brethren in other Middle Eastern countries. Even the Dome Of The Rock, one of the holiest Muslim sites (which is a sham, BTW) is allowed to remain on the Temple Mount. But Israel is NOT the US and they do have a national religion, as do many countries in the region.
Report Post »