Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sits prior to a session in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem June 16, 2003 (Photo: Reuters/FLASH90/Haim Zach)
The State of Israel will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex- Israeli Declaration of Independence
Today, the Knesset approved the first reading of a bill submitted by the government that rescinds the right of Israeli residents and citizens who have married residents of the Occupied Territories to establish their home in Israel.
The implications of the decision are clear: Israel is forcing those who want to marry Palestinians to choose the lesser of two evils: either not to get married, or to leave their homes.
The bill makes a cynical use of flimsy security arguments to disguise blatant discrimination. The bill will harm the right of couples from opposite sides of the Green Line to marry and form a family.
This bill is racist, and goes against the principle of equality for all citizens.
As such, the bill is illegal.
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