The Muslims in England have no issues with singing the English anthem written for the English. Ditto in France or Germany, US or any other country on the planet. Israel must institute a loyalty test for all it's citizen. Certainly for all members of Parliament and government. It is insane to give free voice, platform and vote to people who would ultimately subjugate Jews in their own country. Can anyone tell me why this lame government tolerate this sort of behavior from this minister or why the Arab MKs never get punished for siding with the enemies of Israel? I am a very strong supporter of Israel. But how can I support Israeli government when it does not fulfil it's primary mission: Defend the Jewish people?

I'm orthodox, live in the settlements and support the Jewish enterprise in the land of our God given heritage, and I won't sing it either.

Whta has happened to Israel's leaders? Why do you let these people try to destroy you from within? Can't you see their game? Where is your creativity? Fire him from his post today. MAke an example of him. Stand up to these Palestinian bullies and thugs not with weapons and bombs but with refusal to allow them to embarrass you on a daily basis.

Tell us why you won't sing Hatikva?

in Israel and anywhere! What a great blessing! What a great privilege to live in Israel! Israel is the most glorious nation on the face of the earth! The Jewish Holy Land was given by G-D to Jews for all of eternity! What a wonderful, precious G-D ! G-D's lovingkindness is everlasting; his mercy endures forever!

First of all, I doubt Ahmed Tibi would even stand for Hatikvah. I am sure he would stand for any Palestinian anthem. As long as Majaele stands for Hatikvah he doesn't have to sing it. He did acknowledge that he is loyal to the state of Israel and that is enough for me.

incompetent fools like Peretz and treasonous elements like Majadele will be gone as well

To be honest, every Muslims, Jew, Hindu etc in the UK and France can sing the national anthems without fearing any religious conotation simply because the anthems are focus on a national and not a religious sentiment. The problem arises only when patriotism (or nationalism) and a religious identity amount to one and the same thing and allow no room for outsiders....

however singing the national anthem is not a litmus test of loyalty to the state. his visible act of respect by standing is enough as it acknowledges the anthem. however the shameful politics of MK Eldad is that of a whiny adolescent and irrelevant party leader, not the behavior of a serious and optimistic leader of a potential massive right wing bloc (perhaps because he wont be potential number 1?)

Its 3:00 in the morning in Israel, why are you even awake if you are truly David from Israel? Your not religious, since nobody in Israeli hebrew says "orthodox" thats a galut term which is irrelevant in Israel, nor would a "settler" ever call their home a "settlement", nor would one spell HIS name without the dash between the G and the d. YOU ARE AN IMPOSTER trying to instigate

Military secrets, battle plans, etc are told in Cabinet meetings and Mr Majadele is privy to these conversations. Still want him?

when you say that Jews are not a nation.

a democrativ JEWISH State, not just anotrher democratic state where Jews live. So, the democratic rules should follow the line of our heritage and religious laws, and it would eliminate the questioning of their validity. Spain in a Catholic democratic country, and therefore Catholic holidays and laws prevail. We must not loose our identity by trying so hard to be like the "other" nations. First Jews, democracy will follow later inconjunction with the primery objective.

I have changed my opinion based on "The Root of the Problem"'s comments. Now I consider that if an Israeli Arab does not stand, it is political and a rejection of Israel as a Jewish State and therefore unacceptable for a Member of the Knesset or Cabinet or any high position.

He should be fired.

They are mostly immigrants to this land. Most Jews were not born here, and those who were born here, their parents were not. This is THE PROBLEM! The Jewish population in Palestine is not indigenous as they like to keep claiming. Ths state of Israel as they wanted to be a Jewish state. It has no place for its Arabic-speaking population, and they want to uproot us only because we are different in religion and language.

1) I say Hallel on yom hatzamut; what do I need HaTikva for? Its an anthem for people who don't want to say Hallel because its too religious. 2) I'm not a secular zionist and don't really care for what they stand for. I don't think they're bad people (they are my brothers), but I do think they have a badly flawed philosophy. 3) I'm not even a religious zionist except in the loosest sense. I have a hareidi background (though I did serve in a combat unit) and am only a zionist in the narrow classic sense: Jews engaged in the Jewish project in Israel. That's it. 4) I don't like the tune (it cloying) and find the words, while at least speaking of the souls yearning for Jerusalem, missing a great deal in terms of what it means to be Jewish. Its a flat, empty song that doesn't move me.

Problems by Andras Bereny Problems like this will continue to surface until we don't internalize the difference between "Jewish and democratic state" and "democratic Jewish state". The majority of Jews in Judea and Samaria want a Jewish state with Torah Law and with Torah istitutions.

It is a non issue for anyone who knows the word. The heart wrenching anthem of the late 40s was definitely appropriate at hat time. so either change the words to be more inclusive or accept the Majadele compromise which is respectful and honest.

not, and should not be citizens, but less reason to have them serve as Ministers in the Goverment. Not singing the country"s anthem it is considered in most countries an act of treason, such people must be dealt accordingly. I consider having any minister in Israel"s goverment that does not adhere to and respect the country"s simbols, and says so openly, and act of "Feeling of inferiority" by the Goverment of Israel. If that minister is not sacked, the GOVERMENT OF ISRAEL DOES NOT DESERVE TO GOVERN AND BE RESPECTED AS SUCH.

Yes, it's the Jewish homeland - our homeland - and Hatikvah expresses that. But perhaps there could be a second verse expressing the desire for other people living in Israel to participate in the life of the country? "To establish a state of justice and prosperity for all" or something like that? After all, a Jewish homeland is built on Jewish traditions/religious law, and one part of that is justice and kindness for all - Jew and non-Jew alike. There is no such thing as "only words" - certanly we can save face and honor for Arab Israelis and not betray our own history.

How badly do we want/need our butts kissed by this guy and his constiuents? Even if he did sing it do you really think he would mean it? NO! The only reason these MKs want him to sing it is so they can say, good little Arab - you know waht's good for you. Do you really expect him or other Israeli Arabs to identify more with Israel than with their Arab kin? Why not just stop this nonsense and pretension and just redraw the freaking border and give them Palestinian citizenship? ! Let the Jews rule the Jews and the Arabs rule the Arabs. There is no other way.

I don't blame Majadele for not singing the anthem. First of all, it sounds terrible. It's a weak anthem. I also find Hatikva offensive because of the verse "we look east to Zion", which refers to Jews in Europe looking east to the Land of Israel. But my father's family is Georgian (from the former USSR). The Land of Israel for my father's family, and for many Mizrachi Jews, is west, NOT EAST. I would go further than Majadele and say that Hatikva is only for Ashkenazi Jews!

Most of the arab population of Israel are decended from arabs who came from other parts of the Middle East to work for the early zionists because the zionist provided them with jobs and a higher quality of life than. Where the jewish residents of the jewish state were born is irelivent they are jewish they have a right of return in the form of aliyah .. all jews have the right to go and live in the jewish state. If the arabs dont like the idea of living in a jewish state where the anthem and national symbols are jewish ones if its a problem for the arabs then there are 22 arab states in the region and in all of those states the anthem, symbols, culture and language represents arabs and only arabs so dont like Israel there is no shortage of places for an arab to move to and the jews wont be shedding any tears when they back their bags.

I will always be proud to sing Hatikva, as I was in the past, as I am today and as I will be in the future. Nevertheless it is time for some Israeli composers (both Arab and Jew) to come up with new words in Arabic (the same melody however) expressing a general patriotic feeling for the State of Israel. The Arabs will sing the Arab version and the Jews will sing the traditional version. End of story.

"Do not make a covenant with the people of the land I will give you," said the L**d, "for they will ensnare you in their ways." And we did. And they have snared us. G*d keeps His word

When Majadele states that he refuses to sing Hatikva and when he calls for Israel to negotiate with the Hamas-Abbas regime in the PA he is being 100% consistent. He doesn't approve of Israel as a Jewish State and he wants to see it destroyed. Why do we blame these guys of being dishonest. To our faces they say they hate us. We just refuse to believe it.