The US State Department Monday warned Israel to "stick to its democratic principles", following the adoption of a controversial bill by the Israeli Cabinet that defines Israel as the Jewish nation-state bill.
"Israel is a Jewish and democratic state and all its citizens should enjoy equal rights. We expect Israel to stick to its democratic principles," a spokesman of the State Department said, adding: "Israel is a Jewish and democratic state in which all citizens should enjoy equal rights."
Asked about US criticism of the bill in a radio interview on Tuesday, Israel's Economy Minister Naftali Bennett declared: "I say to the Americans: we will manage the matters of the State of Israel ourselves. We need to deal with the significance of which type of state we want. Do we want the massive entry of foreigners into Israel? Do we want the erosion in the future of the Galilee or the Negev which may have an Arab majority and could have nationalistic demands? We are the ones who have to deal with these questions."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he was "determined" to have the bill passed, with or without his political partners' agreement. The bill is opposed by the parties of Finance Minister Yair Laipd (Yesh Atid) and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua).
The bill initiated by Likud Party lawmaker Zeev Elkin gives preference to Israel's Jewish identity over its democratic character and plans to abolish Arabic as one of Israel’s official languages. It would also mandate construction of new Jewish communities without requiring similar construction for Arabs. Twenty percent of Israel's population is non-Jewish.
