Israeli-Arab party Balad said Sunday it is considering appealing to the High Court of Justice against Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein's plan to block a bill the party is proposing to counter what it calls the "racist" nation-state bill being promoted by the government.
Balad Chairman MK Jamal Zahalka announced last week that he plans to present the Knesset with a bill titled "Israel – A State of All Its Citizens."
The concept of "a state of all its citizens" negates Israel's character as a Jewish state, advocating for equality for all ethnic groups and denominations in all state symbols, institutions and laws in an ostensible attempt to create a unified national identity. It would also prevent the state from favoring Jewish immigrants. Currently, under Israel's Law of Return, citizenship is automatically granted to anyone of Jewish descent.
The government's controversial nation-state bill defines Israel as a "Jewish state with a democratic regime," requiring the state to preserve the country's Jewish character and protect state symbols and sacred Jewish sites according to Jewish tradition.
The Joint Arab List, a faction comprising the Balad, Ra'am-Ta'al and Hadash parties, has been a fierce critic of the nation-state bill.
Zahalka told Israel Hayom his faction "submitted the bill as an answer to the radical nation-state bill the government is promoting. Edelstein said he would try to prevent the bill from being presented to the Knesset, and that he will have [Knesset] Legal Counsel Eyal Yinon prepare a legal opinion on the matter so he can present it to the Knesset Presidium [comprising the speaker and deputy speakers, who approve the tabling of private members' bills]."
He said Balad "sees Edelstein's plan as an egregious step that reflects extremism with respect to democratic demands and perceptions. The Knesset speaker does not have the authority to prevent MKs from presenting bills and his intention to do so blatantly discriminates against Arab lawmakers, who have a truly democratic worldview.
"It is also a gross infringement on the freedom of expression, the right to be politically active, and the immunity of Knesset members."
In response, Edelstein issued a statement saying, "The legislative proposal in question is delusional and aims to undermine the foundations on which the State of Israel is built.
"Joint Arab List MKs seem to have a competition for who is more radical. Never before during my five years as Knesset speaker have I suggested that the Knesset Presidium disqualify a bill, but there are red lines that cannot be crossed. This [bill] is a blunt attempt to cross some of them. "
