The Dichter Draft Law, so named because it is sponsored by MK (Kadima) Avi Dichter, which seeks to remove Arabic as an official state language continues to lose support.

To date, MKs Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor), Doron Avital (Kadima) and Shlomo Molla (Kadima) have indicated they are withdrawing their support. The draft law seeks to become a Basic Law, which acts as the state’s constitution.

Knesset legal advisor Eyal Yinon has already ruled on the draft law, stating it is not racist and may move ahead. In defense if his draft law, Dichter stated that in line with UN recognition of the state, it is defined as a Jewish State so his legislation in no way compromises the democratic integrity of the state.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)