New Law in Israel Sparks Backlash from Arab Minority Group

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:55 AM PT — Fri. Aug. 3, 2018

A new law in Israel is sparking fury and protests among religious minority group in the country.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walked out of a meeting with Druze leaders Thursday, following the backlash from a newly imposed nation-state law.
He was in the meeting to negotiate whether a separate law would be used to protect the religious minority or to add an amendment to the Jewish nation-state law.

Israelis hold a banner showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a protest against the Israel Jewish nation bill, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, July 30, 2018. Last week Israel’s parliament approved a controversial piece of legislation that defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Opponents and rights groups have criticized the legislation, warning that it will sideline minorities such as the country’s Arabs. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

The Druze are the most integrated minority in Israel, but the controversial law has provoked anger and fear.
“We see it as a discriminatory law which doesn’t give expression to our citizenship, doesn’t give expression to our sense of belonging,” stated Rafik Halabi, head of the local Israeli-Druze Council. “We told the prime minister unequivocally – we want civilian equality for all residents, we won’t be able to live in a state where part of its population, especially such a loyal and good population, feels excluded.”
Following the talks, Druze community leaders say the community is planning to demonstrate against the proposed legislation on Saturday.