Tel Aviv - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
defended a new law that recognizes Israel as a Jewish state, saying
it provided a means of preventing Palestinians from gaining residency
status in Israel.
The Nation-State Law, passed last month, declares Israel as the
exclusive homeland of the Jewish people and downgrades the status of
the Arabic language.
The law has been met with fierce criticism,
especially from the Druze and Arab minorities in Israel, who say the
law prioritizes the country's Jewish character over its democratic
character.
On Sunday, Netanyahu said the law will prevent the "exploitation of
the family reunification clause under which very, very many
Palestinians have been absorbed" into Israel since the 1990s.
"This law helps prevent the continued uncontrolled entry into Israel
of Palestinians," Netanyahu said.
Arab citizens of Israel can request residency status for a
Palestinian family member or spouse, typically living in the West
Bank or Gaza Strip.
Israel placed restrictions on family reunification in 2003, citing
security concerns.
According to Israeli rights group Hamoked, citing Interior Ministry
figures, in 2016 over 12,000 Palestinians had status in Israel
through family reunification.
Tens of thousands of Israelis, led by Druze activists, held a rally
against the legislation in Tel Aviv late Saturday.