Bennett indifferent to Arab MK quitting Knesset over Nationality Law
After Zionist Union's Zouheir Bahloul announces resignation in protest over law which has come under harsh criticism, Bayit Yehudi leader responds nonchalantly: 'The Knesset won't cry over it. So he'll resign.'
Enraged by the law which critics argue is racist, Bahloul announced that his resignation will go into effect immediately and that he will not be running for a spot on his party's list in the next election.
“There’s unjustifiable outrage about the Nationality Law, which now includes the resignation of Zouheir Bahloul who said that his Palestinian identity is stronger than his Israeli one. The Israeli Knesset will not cry over it. So he’ll resign,” a nonchalant Bennett said.
“The Nationality Law is an essential law in light of the continued erosion by High Court of Justice rulings on the national foundation of the State of Israel,” Bennett said, who has been a staunch critic of the court.
Bereaved parents from the Druze village of Beit Jann also called on the Israeli government to immediately revoke the Nationality Law and prevent the disintegration of trust between the Druze community and the government.
“The right direction for fusion with the Druze public is a special law recognizing the importance of the covenant with the Druze community … and every other minority that has a connection with the destiny of the State of Israel, not changing the Nationality Law,” the Bayit Yehudi leader suggested.
“Last Wednesday, I gave the prime minister a proposal on this and I will work to implement it,” he promised.
On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafak Tarif at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem in an effort to mend the rift between the Druze community and the State of Israel surrounding the law.
Bahloul said that he intends to continue making a difference from outside the legislature.
"This is a painful moment. If I'm giving up, it means all hope is lost. The Knesset has become the private estate of (Prime Minister) Netanyahu and his cohorts," Bahloul accused.
"The entire series of legislation that excludes others, which is so dangerous to the democratic features of the state, has brought anxiety to the State of Israel," the Arab lawmaker continued.
"I was burned, I cannot remain silent anymore, and it's better for me to escape before this ship sinks. It may still remain above water, but I won't be on it," Bahloul insisted.
But he stressed he wasn't completely abandoning political life. "I will be one of the founders of the popular movement that is supposed to rise in this country. This will be a popular movement of Arabs and Jews who will prove that eventually, in spite of Netanyahu and his friends' opposition, we can live here together and direct this ship to other places," he explained.
The Labor Party said it was "sorry to hear about MK Zouheir Bahloul's choice."
"The Nationality Law is a kick in the head to over one fifth of the population of Israel—which is a Jewish country with or without it. When we return to the government, we will amend this law as well and add what should've been obvious—the word 'equality,'" the party said in a statement.
Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay promised that his party will "make sure in the next election as well that there is appropriate representation to the Arab population."
