Knesset passes law enshrining Israel as the national home of the Jewish people

Israel is the Jewish nation’s historic homeland under its unique right to exercise national self-determination. This is determined by the long-debated Basic Law carried by the Knesset Wednesday night by a 62:55 vote with 2 abstentions, after a stormy eight-hour session. The Israeli flag, menorah, Hatikva anthem, Hebrew calendar, and Jewish holidays were defined as national symbols, Hebrew as the official language, with special status for Arabic, a clause challenged fiercely by Israel Arab leaders. Another hotly-disputed clause, allowing Jewish-only communities was scrapped, and replaced by the “The state views the development of Jewish settlement as a national value and will act to encourage and promote its establishment and consolidation.”