Israel's parliament rejects Anti- Arab loyalty oath bill

An Israeli parliamentary committee scrapped Sunday a controversial bill that would have required Israelis to take a loyalty oath to the Jewish state in order to get citizenship and softened a law on commemorating the Naqba.

The bill, proposed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's ultra-nationalist party was voted down eight to three. It needed the parliamentary committee's approval in order to go before the full Knesset, where it would require three votes to become law.

The proposed pledge required Arab Israelis, most of whom are Muslim or Christian, and Jewish Israelis to pledge allegiance to Israel as a Jewish state.

"I pledge loyalty to the state of Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state, to its symbols and values, to serve the state as much as I am required in military service or alternative service, as decided by law," read the proposed oath. The bill targeted Arab Israelis, who have lately sided with their counterparts in Gaza and the West Bank against Israeli aggression, and many took part in the suppressed Nakba events that coincided with Israel's "Independence Day."