JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asserted that his county is the "one and only national state of the Jewish people" as his government is set to debate a bill that would define Israel as a Jewish state.

"We are being challenged by the unwillingness to recognize the right of the Jewish People to a state of its own," Netanyahu said at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Israel is a Jewish and democratic state. Democracy here finds expression in the right of every person to vote in secret elections," he said.

"The Jewish aspect of the state finds expression in its being the one and only national state of the Jewish People, with a flag, national anthem and the right of the Jewish People to come here."

Netanyahu's remarks came as the Ministerial Committee on Legislation is set to debate a controversial bill that aims to define Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.

The bill, sponsored by Likud lawmaker chairman Ze’ev Elkin, would recognize Hebrew as the official language in Israel, while Arabic will be given special status. 

"Today we will move forward on the nationality law…It will yet undergo many changes and discussions," the premier said.

"But we will make it clear that the state of Israel is the national state of the Jewish People, while providing for equal rights – and ensuring equal rights – for all its citizens." 

Israel's proclamation as a Jewish state has been a point of contention at the latest round of U.S.-mediated peace talks with the Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly expressed his refusal to compromise the longstanding Palestinian stance against recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.

Palestinians fear that identifying Israel as such will cancel the right of return of Palestinian refugees or the right of compensation to those affected by the creation of Israel in 1948.

Earlier this year, Arab foreign ministers reiterated their refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, going on to blame Israel for undermining the peace process.

Peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators collapsed in April over Israel's refusal to release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners despite earlier pledges to do so.

www.aa.com.tr/en