Arab Knesset member slams Israel's nationality bill

Arab Knesset member Ahmed al Tibi slammed Israel's newly-drafted nationality bill that will drop the use of Arabic as an official national language and ban non-Jewish residents from residing in Israeli towns.

This bill is the last nail in the coffin of so-called Israeli democracy, Arab MKs Tibi and Yousef Jabareen said.

"We announce with shock and sorrow the death of democracy, they said after the vote. There is no doubt the nationality bill is the lowest point in the chronic illnesses that have plagued democracy. The funeral will take place today in the plenum," they said.

With 8 members voting in favor and 7 against, joint Knesset committee sends the legislation to the plenum for a final voting.

Palestinian existence and our Arabic language will not be undermined by any law, Tibi and Jabareen said, promising to expose the practices and legislation of this racist government of Israel at international forums.

The nationality bill proposal, sponsored by MK Avi Dichter (Likud) among others, seeks to enshrine into law the status of the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.

This would include recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Hebrew as the official language. It will also grant Diaspora Jewry the right to return to Israel.