MKs support arrest over denial of Israel's existence

Bill calling for one year in prison for anyone speaking against Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state passes preliminary reading. Bill's initiator MK Orlev: This is our lesson from Bishara affair. Meretz: Government is losing it

Amnon Meranda Published: 05.27.09, 13:00 / Israel News

'Nakba law' not alone: The Knesset on Wednesday morning approved in a preliminary reading a bill introducing one year in prison for anyone speaking against Israel's existence as a Jewish and democratic state, should the call contain a reasonable possibility "that it may lead to acts of hatred, scorn or lack of loyalty to the State or its government authorities or law systems which have been established legally."

Forty-seven Knesset members voted in favor of the motion, 34 voted against it, and one MK abstained. The bill was initiated by MK Zevulun Orlev (Habayit Hayehudi), chairman of the Knesset's Education Committee.


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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3722439,00.html

There's this law, the law against commemorating the Nakba, and the swear loyalty or lose yr citizenship one. Even if one of these gets passed into law, it's not good at all....

first reading, is horrendous.

suppression of civil liberties is in itself a threat to a country's 'existence as a democratic state' - as it is fundamentally undemocratic. People should have a right to express anti-state opinions. (And will this law apply to ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionists, or just Arab anti-Zionists?)

Mr. Orlov is National Union, i.e. nuts; but it's worrying that so many other MKs voted with him. I hope it does not pass in the end.

'A reasonable possibility "that it may lead to acts of hatred, scorn or lack of loyalty to the State or its government authorities or law systems which have been established legally." '

And who decides this? Punishing *acts* is one thing; punishing statements or opinions is another.

nt