The Israeli cabinet has approved an amendment to the country’s citizenship law that requires prospective citizens to swear loyalty to the state of Israel as a “democratic and Jewish state” as a condition of citizenship. As Jewish people are guaranteed citizenship under the country’s racist Law of Return, the oath is aimed explicitly at non-Jewish Palestinian people.
The measure, which was met with outrage amongst Palestinians and progressive Israelis, is another indicator of the insincerity of Israel in the Middle East “peace talks.” It was well known that the amendment would further alienate Palestinians living in Israel and the occupied territories.
The move is also designed to make it harder for some 25,000 Palestinians married to Israeli citizens to gain citizenship under family unification. The amendment still has to be passed in the Knesset..
Earlier this year, the Israeli government passed a law criminalizing all boycott advocacy and activity by Israeli, Palestinian and foreign citizens.
