#ISRAEL: PM Netanyahu Says Israel Is A State For "Jews Alone"

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stirring controversy by asserting that the State of Israel, "belongs to the Jewish people alone." His comments, just weeks before facing voters, were in response to a comment by Israeli actress Rotem Sela, who wrote on social media that, "Israel is a country of all its citizens."

Later on, Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot, an Israeli citizen, rebuked his comments, as did President Reuven Rivlin.

Palestinian Arab citizens are about a fifth of Israel's population and often face discrimination and accusations of disloyalty.

In an Instagram post, Netanyahu responded to the actress, saying, "Dear Rotem, an important correction: Israel is not a state of all its citizens. According to the Nation-State Law that we passed, Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish People - and them alone."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ISRAEL: New Centrist Arab Party Registers To Contest April Elections

[world politics news]

The Israeli political landscape continues to transform daily. A new Arab party has registered with the Justice Ministry to participate in the upcoming Knesset elections on April 9.

“New Horizon — An Arab Centrist Party” registered in mid-December to run in the vote, which has since been set for April 9.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ISRAEL: Two Cabinet Ministers Say New "Nation-State" Law Recognizing Israel As "Jewish State" Was A Mistake; Had Flaws

[world politics news]

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon says mistakes were made in the recently approved "nation-state" law, saying it was passed "hastily." The law allows judges to give priority to Israel's Jewish character in their rulings. Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who supported and voted for the law, said the law hurt the feelings of members of Israel's Druze community. The government coalition advocated for an even more strongly worded version of the bill. Even the watered-down version has been widely criticized in the Middle East as lessening the rights of Arabs and other minorities living in Israel.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon with Prime Minister Benjamin Nentanyahu

#ISRAEL: Knesset Passes Bill Allowing Expulsion Of Its Members

[world politics news]

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial law allowing MPs to expel colleagues for incitement, racism or support for armed struggle against the state that critics say is aimed mainly at Arab legislators. Opposition Israeli-Arab MPs said immediately they would appeal against the legislation at the country’s supreme court.

#ISRAEL: Bill To Strip "Enemy-Supporting" Arab Legislators Of Vote Passes First Hurdle; Oppo. Pols Decry

[world politics news]

Israel's parliament have given initial approval to a bill that would allow members to suspend from the legislature colleagues whom they believe have supported Israel's enemies or have acted against the state. The proposal was strongly criticized by opposition members who said it was aimed against Israel's Arab lawmakers.

#YEMEN: Spectre Secession for South Yemen Rises Again After Gov't Crumbles

[world politics news]

Sentiments in south Yemen for possible secession are unifying in the face of Houthi Shia extremists forcing the government's recent collapse in the northern capitol of Sanaa. Experts say secession is now more credible, and with its leaders stressing they have no intention to accomplish it with violence.

#YEMEN: Iran-Backed Shia Rebels Take Capitol Sanaa; Civil War Still Looms

[world politics news]

Government officials capitulated to Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels, who will now form a government. The threat looms of an Iraq-like civil war resuming, however, with Saudi-backed Sunnis returning to seek to liberate the country.

#ISRAEL

Judge Rules Anti-Palestinian Campaign Ads "Racist" [world politics news]