Thousands of Israeli Arabs and Jews have gathered in the center of Tel Aviv to protest against the 'nation-state' law. Demonstrators shouted "Equality" in Arabic and Hebrew and "Apartheid will not pass." The protesters arae concerned about possible discrimination on the basis of nationality.
READ MORE: Over Half of Israelis Support Jewish Nation-State Law — Reports
Ten of thousands Jews & Arabs are gathering in Tel Aviv against the #NationStateLaw and Netanyahu's government.
— Stephane Savary (@stephane_ulrich) August 11, 2018
This might be the largest Jewish-Arab demonstrating event in Israel's history. Solidarity.#Amazing pic.twitter.com/S0ZcH2qTr8
According to the deputy of Arab origin, the demonstration is "an introduction to further protests against the law." Earlier, a number of retired high-ranking politicians and representatives of the security forces voiced their sharp criticism of the law. Five lawsuits against the new law are under consideration in the courts of the country.
Israeli jews and arabs protesting together against the new Israeli nationalist law, tonight in #TelAviv #israelinationalistlaw pic.twitter.com/J45q5JJaUO
— Aviad News (@Aviad_News) August 11, 2018
The law, which was passed by Knesset in July, stipulates that only Jews living in the country have a right to self-determination while Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the country's population, have been deprived of that right.
Tens of thousands are gathering RIGHT NOW in Tel Aviv's Rabin square in to protest the #NationStateLaw, in what appears to be the THE LARGEST JEWISH-ARAB DEMONSTRATION IN HISTORY OF ISRAEL. This is our answer to the racist government. Support us: https://t.co/LcYMSL8po1 pic.twitter.com/1QklQc7UvU
— עומדים ביחד نقف معًا (@omdimbeyachad) August 11, 2018
The law also declares Hebrew the only official language, with Arabic losing the statues and becoming a language with a "special status."
