A “basic law” declaring that the State of Israel is the materialization of Zionism and that its capital is “undivided Jerusalem which is sacred to the Jewish people from the beginning of its history,” passed its first reading in the Knesset yesterday. It was introduced as a private members bill by Elimelech Rimalt of Likud in response to the resolution equating Zionism with racism adopted by the UN General Assembly last November.
The bill defines Zionism as “the liberation and renaissance movement of the Jewish people.” It drew some criticism in the Knesset on grounds that a ” basic law” should not be introduced as a private bill and that it was mainly of declarative value. Basic laws require a special majority to be amended. They are drafted with the intention of eventual incorporation into a written constitution.
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