Israeli Government in Turmoil Over ‘Jewish State’ Law Clash
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Draft legislation that would anchor Israel’s status as a Jewish nation-state in law is headed for parliament, where it could bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition.
The cabinet yesterday approved two Jewish nation-state bills over the objections of Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who say they threaten Israel’s democratic values and discriminate against its minorities, chiefly Arabs who form 20 percent of the population. Hawkish rivals to Netanyahu in his coalition have demanded such laws.