3 Likud ministers oppose Nakba bill

Ministers Meridor, Begin, Eitan ask government secretariat to quash motion calling to ban marking of Nakba Day by law, say it goes against Israel's democratic values

Amnon Meranda
Published: 05.25.09, 18:15 / Israel News

Three Likud ministers joined the fight against the motion calling to prohibit marking Nakba Day (the "catastrophe" of Israel's formation) by law, filing a petition with the government secretariat to quash the proposal.

The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs approved the motion, suggested by Yisrael Beiteinu Knesset Member Alex Miller on Sunday, scheduling it for a first Knesset reading next week.

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The proposal enraged Arab MKs and evoked criticism from Labor MKs, as well. "The proposed law does not correspond with the freedom of expression practiced in Israel – a Jewish and democratic state," Ministers Benny Begin, Michael Eitan and Dan Meridor wrote in their petition.

Minister Eitan added that he hoped "the government reaches the same conclusion I did during the committee meeting – that this law will prove ineffective and will do nothing but smear freedom of speech in Israel."

"Legislation is a serious thing and it should not be used for declarative purposes," said Minister Begin. "The legislator has to think about the ways to enforce a law in advance. I cannot see a way to enforce this kind of law.

"Freedom of speech is tested in the ability to see and hear aggravating things, a point which the courts have debated repeatedly," he added.

Roni Sofer contributed to this report

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