Rogue Likud MK slams coalition backing for nation-state bill

Speaking in the Knesset plenum, Likud MK Benny Begin slams the coalition for supporting his fellow party member Avi Dichter’s Jewish nation-state bill.

Decrying the lack of explicit mention of minority rights in the proposal, Begin tells lawmakers he will vote against the legislation when it comes to a Knesset vote.

“I don’t support it and I won’t support it in the way it was submitted,” he says.

“There cannot be any conflict between nation-state, nationalism, and equal rights,” adds Begin.

Begin, who has drafted his own version of the bill, says his Jewish nation-state proposal could have earned the support of 90 of the 120 Knesset members.

Both the opposition Yesh Atid and Zionist Union parties have said they would support Begin’s version, which affirms Israel is the Jewish nation-state that upholds the rights of all of its citizens.

— Marissa Newman