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Israeli government rejects oath of loyalty | Israeli government rejects oath of loyalty |
(1 day later) | |
The Israeli cabinet has rejected a controversial proposal to require Israeli citizens to take an oath of loyalty to the Jewish state. | The Israeli cabinet has rejected a controversial proposal to require Israeli citizens to take an oath of loyalty to the Jewish state. |
Under the plan, introduced by the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, citizenship would be granted only to those who swore allegiance. | Under the plan, introduced by the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party, citizenship would be granted only to those who swore allegiance. |
The proposal angered Israel's Arab minority, which comprises 20% of Israel's population. | The proposal angered Israel's Arab minority, which comprises 20% of Israel's population. |
The plan can still be brought before parliament, but is unlikely to succeed. | The plan can still be brought before parliament, but is unlikely to succeed. |
The measure was thrown out by eight votes to three at a meeting of the Cabinet on Sunday. | The measure was thrown out by eight votes to three at a meeting of the Cabinet on Sunday. |
Yisrael Beiteinu , which won the third most seats in February's election, sought to introduce the oath as well as a ban on annual commemorations denouncing the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. | Yisrael Beiteinu , which won the third most seats in February's election, sought to introduce the oath as well as a ban on annual commemorations denouncing the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. |
ISRAELI ARABS Comprise 20% of the populationDescend from Palestinian inhabitants pre-1948Hold 13 seats in the 120-member parliament Loyalty plans stir Israeli Arab ire | |
During the election campaign, the party focused on perceived disloyalty among Israeli Arabs, drawing widespread criticism as well as support. | During the election campaign, the party focused on perceived disloyalty among Israeli Arabs, drawing widespread criticism as well as support. |
Many Israeli Arabs mark the Nakba , or the Catastrophe, of 1948 when about 700,000 Palestinians fled or were forced from their ancestral homes as Israel claimed its independence. |
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