Israeli Cabinet Approves Change to Citizenship Oath
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Israel’s Cabinet approved a change to the citizenship oath, adding words that emphasize the “Jewish and democratic” nature of the state, in what analysts said was a gesture to ministers who oppose a renewal of a freeze on the building of Israeli settlements.
“To my regret, today there are attempts to blur not only the unique link between the Jewish people and their homeland, but also the connection between the Jewish people and their state,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Cabinet before the 22-to-8 vote on the change today, according to his website. The new oath will only apply to non-Jews seeking citizenship.