Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that he is bringing before cabinet a proposal for a loyalty oath, which all naturalized citizens of Israel will be required to take; an oath of loyalty to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state.”
Arab MK’s in the Knesset have spoken out against the planned oath, saying that it is “the height of fascism” as well as calling it “racist and stupid.” There have also been suggestions that the oath is a sort-of exchange for the Israeli government to freeze settlement activity after the previous ban lifted at the end of September, jeopardizing peace talks.
Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman has countered that the behavior of certain Arab MK’s, namely Haneen Zoabi, who was involved in the Gaze flotilla is the very reason why such an oath is required. Lieberman also said that attempts to question the ‘Jewishness’ of Israel make the oath essential. He further said that the proposal for the oath has nothing to do with the right of return, but it does mean that anyone wanting to obtain Israeli citizenship will be forced to attest to Israel as a democratic and Jewish state.
Another Arab MK, Ahmed Tibi stated that that "the decision to make citizens announce their loyalty to Israel as a Jewish State is populist, lacks leadership, and its purpose is to make the Arabs' lowly position legally permanent."
The bill is expected in the Knesset on Sunday, with a vote likely on the subject very soon after.
