Knesset advances bill that would force Israeli envoys to declare loyalty to state

The Knesset advances a bill that would require senior Israeli diplomats to sign onto loyalty pledges to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state before being posted abroad.

Backed by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, the bill clears its first reading, and will need an additional two votes before becoming law.

According to Cohen’s spokesperson, Israeli ambassadors, consuls or other heads of diplomatic missions will be compelled to take the pledge as a condition of receiving their appointments abroad.

“The role of the state’s emissaries and representatives is to represent the State of Israel and its values and act in its interests. The State of Israel is a Jewish and democratic state, and anyone who does not recognize this will not be able to serve as an ambassador and represent the State of Israel,” Cohen says in a statement released shortly after the vote.