Right-wing coalition lawmakers would be able to vote in favor on a fascist bill that plans to outlaw the display of “enemy flags” at universities or government institutions, the Ministerial Committee on Legislation decided Sunday. According to Zo Haderech, the bill — sponsored by Likud MK Eli Cohen — will affect all universities and any state-funded institutions, and will come up for a reading in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday.
Nakba Day rally at Tel-Aviv University, May 15, 2022 (Photo: Zo Haderech)
The bill was tabled after demonstrations at Tel-Aviv and Ben-Gurion (BGU) universities on the occasion of Nakba Day sponsored by Hadash students. “Therefore, the bill I submitted will prohibit the hoisting of flags of enemy states, including the Palestinian Authority, in state institutions. Anyone who by the way sees himself as a Palestinian will receive from us all the assistance required to cross a one-way route to Gaza,” said MK Cohen. Joint List MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash) lambasted the proposed legislation, adding that “the decision of the Ministerial Committee to allow freedom of vote on the ‘Flag Repression Law’ is a continuation of the government’s fascist line against the Palestinian people and their identity.”
According to Guevara Bader, the head of the Hadash student cell in BGU, “Waving Palestinian flags is a legal act and through those acts, change and peace may come.” Bader further defended the University protests, stating that flying the flag should not be construed as a threat to any Israeli Jew. “We are for coexistence and partnership,” the student said.
Several officials slammed the universities for allowing students to wave Palestinian flags during the rallies. Far-right Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman called Wednesday to reduce funding to universities and Education Minister Yifat Sasha-Biton condemned the demonstrations, saying that and stated her ministry will “investigate incidents of incitement against state symbols.” Her statements were quickly slammed by Hadash lawmakers, Ayman Odeh, Aida Touma-Suleiman and Cassif, who said that the protestors “were respecting the narrative of the Nakba” and that no one will “determine who is Palestinian or not.”
A member of the Knesset and former Finance Minister, Israel Katz, warned Palestinians of another “Nakba” if they fly the Palestinian flag. The Likud lawmaker put up a video on his twitter featuring him speaking at the parliament, with the message: “Yesterday I warned the Arab students, who are flying Palestine flags at universities: Remember 48. Remember our independence war and your Nakba, don’t stretch the rope too much. […] If you don’t calm down, we’ll teach you a lesson that won’t be forgotten. Ask your elders, your grandfathers and grandmothers, and they will explain to you that in the end, the Jews awaken, they know to defend themselves and the idea of the Jewish state. Don’t stretch the rope too much.”
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