Netanyahu says controversial nation-state bill will pass in next few days

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the controversial Jewish nation-state bill will pass in the next few days, calling the legislation “a law of the highest importance.”

“If not in the next few hours, we will pass this law in the next few days,” Netanyahu tells his Likud faction meeting in a nod to ongoing disagreements over the bill.

“This is a law of the highest importance to ensure the foundation of the existence of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people,” he adds.

A special committee established to deal with the proposal will reconvene this afternoon to vote on the final language of a controversial clause that currently sanctions segregated communities.

Speaking to reporters after the Likud faction meeting, coalition chairman David Amsalem said that he believes “all the coalition parties will fall in line” over the bill and it will come to a final vote on Wednesday.

— Raoul Wootliff