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(1) Israel is and must always remain the democratic nation-state of the Jewish people which accords equal rights to all of its citizens. The history of the Jewish people justifies—indeed demands—that there be one state that manifests the national aspirations of the Jewish people.
(2) Zionism has long been the national liberation movement of the Jewish people that culminated in the establishment of Israel 70 years ago with its brilliantly articulated Declaration of independent statehood for the Jewish people and their new national homeland.
(3)When the UN called for Two states for two people, it contemplated one of these being the nation-state of the Jewish people.
(4) Because it is the nation-state of the Jewish people, it’s national symbols, holidays and language reflect its character. Because of the tragic history of the Jewish people during the Shoah, it rightly has a law of return for Jews (broadly defined)
(5) Many other democratic nations have laws that reflect their national character, but only Israel is criticized for doing so in its basic laws.
(6) Whether or not one believes the new law was needed— an issue about which reasonable people can disagree—
(7) it is hypocritical to apply a different standard of criticism to Israel than is applied to other democratic nation-states that also incorporate their national character in their laws and constitutions.
(8) The new law must be read in context with existing laws which guarantee equal rights for all citizens (bit.ly/2qubYVV). I will be writing more about this issue.
