Published January 08, 2015
Israel's prime minister says he plans to promote legislation that will enshrine the country's status as the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Benjamin Netanyahu says it is time for "the most basic element of our national lives to have legislative standing." He spoke Thursday in Tel Aviv at the site of where Israel's Declaration of Independence was signed. Israel celebrates its Independence Day next week.
Netanyahu's intentions look to further complicate Middle East peace efforts just as U.S.-brokered talks appear to have broken down.
One of the major gaps between the sides is the Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland. Netanyahu insists it is necessary to prove their peaceful intentions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says such an endorsement would undermine the rights of Palestinian refugees.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-says-he-will-push-for-legislation-promoting-israel-as-jewish-state