Israel is a Jewish and democratic state that protects the rights of all its citizens, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a memorial service for Rehavam Ze'evi held at in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl on Thursday.
Ze'evi, a former Israel Defense Forces general and leader of the small ultranationalist party Moledet, was assassinated by a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in the fall of 2001 shortly after the outbreak of the second Intifada the previous year.
The outspoken Ze'evi advocated harsh military action against the Palestinians, calling for the eviction of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, a view most Israelis consider extreme.
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Speaking at the Jerusalem memorial Thursday, the premier said that "Israel protects the full equality… of Jews and non-Jews alike. This is the essence of the declaration of independence, which we follow."
The PM's remarks came after a draft of a controversial loyalty oath that was approved by government on Wednesday, according to which prospective Israeli citizens would have to swear allegiance to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state".
Netanyahu added that Jews have a full right to live in the land of Israel, saying: "We should not change historical truths for practical needs; we should not change the past. The deep and faithful connection to the land of Israel is the reason for our presence in this land."
Speaking of Ze'evi, Netanyahu said that the former IDF general was "murdered for being a proud member of the Jewish people. We shall cherish him as a warrior of the land of Israel who loved his people and was loyal to his mission."
Israeli President Shimon Peres, who also spoke at the ceremony, said "[Ze'evi] was a warrior… He thought that the enemy is not [the Palestinian] people but rather the situation... He tried to understand the Arab side, and proved that friendship is possible even in a state of animosity."
Earlier Thursday, Labor ministers said Defense Minister Ehud Barak submitted his own draft amendment to the Citizenship, reportedly angered by Netanyahu's move to bring the amendment to cabinet for a vote.
Netanyahu neglected to inform his Labor coalition partners that he had approved Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman's proposal.
Barak called ministers from his Labor Party together on Thursday proposed submitting their own draft of a loyalty oath that would reflect the liberal and open spirit of Israel's declaration of independence.
According to Barak's draft, prospective citizens would be required to say: "I declare that I will be a citizen loyal to the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, in the spirit of the declaration of independence, and I am committed to honoring the laws of the state."
See also
Judaism
(source:haaretz.com)
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