Proposed Law: MKs flying the flag

The Ministerial Legislative Committee is set to vote, today, on a law proposal proposed by MK Oren Hazzan (Likud). The proposal, if passed, would require the placement of an Israekli flag at any event attended by an Israeli MK in an official capacity. Organizers of events that do not wave the flag as required by law (should the law pass) would be subject to a 5000nis fine.

Hazzan explains in his proposal that MKs, Jewish and Arab, do not necessarily identify with the State symbols, but when called to be a representative at an event, the MK is representing the Knesset and what the State symbolizes. If one receives a platform in his position of MK, he must also see himself as obligated to the State.

To that end, Arab MKs from the United Arab List, including MKs Ahmed Tibi and Youssef Jabrin have said that they would intentionally break this law should it pass. Tibi said this Knesset excels in populism, while Jabrin says the Arab citizens cannot identify with the flag and forcing it on the Arab MKs opposes the freedom of expression and the conscience...and for 70 years Israel has failed to adopt State symbols that are shared among its citizens.

The Institute for Democracy in Israel also opposes this law proposal, due to it being on contrast to freedom of expression and that such a law would prevent Arab MKs from participating in events and might also cause institutions to not invite MKs to its events, thus turning many such institutions into anti-establishment institutions.
sources: Maariv, Srugim

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