EU envoy said to tell Likud MKs its Jewish state bill ‘reeks of racism’

12 July 2018, 8:30 pm

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The European Union’s ambassador to Israel reportedly told Likud MKs that passing a so-called Jewish state bill “reeks of racism,” and would harm the country’s international status.

According to Hadashot news, Emanuele Giaufret told lawmakers the bill, which has been criticized by some in Israel as discriminatory, is “distancing Israel from the accepted norms of democratic countries.”

“The legislation reeks of racism, and discriminates against groups, especially against Arabs, and harms the values that Israel is trying to uphold,” one Likud MK is quoted as telling the TV station.

The EU mission in Israel declined to comment on Giaufret’s reported comments, saying it “does not refer to private conversations.”