Published: 1 August 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
The bill follows the 2022 attempt to appoint an Arab lawmaker who was critical of Israel to a consul’s role; PM won’t pledge to honour High Court ruling if it strikes down reasonableness law
A Knesset bill advanced on Sunday will obligate senior Israeli diplomats to make loyalty pledges to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state before being posted abroad.
Backed by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and presented as a government bill, the amendment to the current foreign service appointments law cleared its first reading, and will need an additional two votes before becoming law.
The change would require Israeli ambassadors, consuls, and other heads of diplomatic missions to swear the following to the foreign minister or another authorized civil servant, as a condition of their appointment: “I pledge to maintain loyalty to the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”
This is in addition to an existing requirement to swear to “undertake to maintain loyalty to the State of Israel and its laws and to fulfill with honesty and faith every duty imposed on me as a civil servant.”
Cohen, his office reaffirmed on Sunday, is pushing the bill in reaction to the attempted 2022 appointment of an Arab lawmaker to a consulship, despite her pointed criticism of Israel as a Jewish state.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel would enter “uncharted territory” should the Supreme Court strike down his hardline coalition’s highly contentious “reasonableness” law that passed amid widespread opposition and intense protests last on Monday. Asked directly whether he would abide by a court ruling to strike it down, he refused to say.
The PM also claimed he has no intention of removing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara from her position, amid mounting calls from his right flank to do so, and a bill submitted on Thursday, and quickly retracted, by a Likud lawmaker. He also indicated that he plans to use the new reasonableness law to reappoint Aryeh Deri, head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, as a minister.
Knesset advances bill demanding loyalty pledge from senior diplomats serving abroad (Times of Israel)
If finalised, legislation would require ambassadors and consuls to pledge loyalty to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state as condition of receiving postings
PM won’t pledge to honour High Court ruling if it strikes down reasonableness law (Times of Israel)
In US interviews, Netanyahu dodges question, says Israel would be in ‘uncharted territory’; says he plans to use fresh law to reappoint Deri as minister; misrepresents petition
Ex-Mossad chief: Netanyahu allies worse than KKK, overhaul is his ‘master plan’ (Times of Israel)
Tamir Pardo claims PM is in control, it’s an ‘urban legend’ he’s under thumb of extremist partners; says potential flight of doctors more worrying than reservist refusals
Israeli Education Ministry Chief Resigns in Protest of Judicial Coup, Citing Societal Rift (Haaretz)
The director general said in a statement that the 'rift we have reached does not allow me to continue and fulfill my responsibilities as required'. Zalal began contemplating his resignation following Monday's vote to abolish the reasonableness standard
Photo: Foreign Minister Eli Cohen seen during an interview at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, June 12, 2023. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)
Tags: Knesset, diplomat, loyalty, Eli Cohen, High Court, Netanyahu
