Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Bill to bar flying of enemy flags passes initial reading in Knesset

17 May 2023, 2:25 pm 2 Edit

Palestinians chant slogans and wave Hamas flags during a protest against Israel, in front of the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Aqsa Mosque compound atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, April 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinians chant slogans and wave Hamas flags during a protest against Israel, in front of the Dome of the Rock shrine at the Aqsa Mosque compound atop the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, April 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

A bill that would make flying an enemy flag punishable by a year in jail passes an initial reading in the Knesset.

The bill, sponsored by far-right Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen, passes 54-16.

The bill also outlaws flying flags of countries or organizations that ban the flying of the Israeli flag.

The bill now heads to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, after which it must pass a further three votes.

The bill is part of a series of right-wing initiatives to punish “incitement,” including the national security minister’s January attempt to ban Palestinian flags in public places.