Israel does not recognize a civic Israeli nationality, lest that avail equal rights, at least theoretically, to all its citizens and undermine its “ethnocratic” identity.

Finally, there is a patently illiberal clause in the new law that would officially adopt halacha (Jewish law) as the arbiter if a civic law is ambiguous. This would be the final nail in the coffin of Israel’s dubious claim to democracy and religious nondiscrimination.

OMAR BARGHOUTI
Jerusalem, Nov. 26, 2014