Appendix
Principle 1 – Objective:
The definition of the State of Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people, and the
anchoring of Israel’s values as a Jewish and democratic state, in the spirit of principles
presented in the declaration of independence.
Principle 2 – Basic Principles:
1. The land of Israel is the historical homeland of the Jewish people and the State of Israel’s
founding place.
2. The State of Israel is the national homeland of the Jewish people, where these fulfill their
right for self-determination based on their cultural and historical heritage.
3. The right for national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish
people.
4. The State of Israel is a democratic state, based on the values of freedom, justice and peace
as envisioned by the Hebrew Prophets, and fulfils the individual rights of all its citizens
according the law.
Principle 3 – State symbols:
1. The national anthem is the “Tikvah”.
2. The national flag is white with two blue strips on its margins and a light blue Star of David in
its center.
3. The State emblem is a seven-windpipe lamp, with olive leafs on both its sides and the word
“Israel” at its top.
Principle 4 – Right of Return:
Any and every Jew is entitled to immigrate to Israel and receive Israeli citizenship by law.
Principle 5 – Ingathering of the exiles and strengthening ties with diaspora Jewry:
The State will advance the ingathering of exiles and work towards the strengthening of the
relationship between Israel and diaspora Jewish communities.
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Principle 6 – Helping Jews in distress:
The State will work to assist Jews in distress and in captivity as a result of them being Jewish.
Principle 7 – Heritage:
1. The State will work to preserve the cultural and historical heritage and tradition of the
Jewish people, and instilling and cultivating them in Israel and in the diaspora.
2. All educational institutions servicing Israeli Jewish public will teach the history of the Jewish
people, its heritage and its traditions.
3. The State will work to ensure that all Israeli residents, regardless of religion, creed or
nationality can preserve their culture, heritage, language and identity.
Principle 8 – Official calendar:
The Hebrew calendar is the official State calendar.
Principle 9 – Independence Day and memorial days:
1. Independence Day is the State’s national holiday.
2. Fallen Soldiers Memorial Day and Holocaust Memorial Day are official State memorial days.
Principle 10 – Days of rest:
The Sabbath and Jewish holidays will serve as Israel’s days of rest, during which no employee
will work unless otherwise directed by law; members of a different legally recognized ethnic
group can cease from work on their day of rest on their holidays.
Principle 11 – Jewish Law:
1. Jewish law will serve as the inspirational basis for the Israeli parliament (Knesset).
2. Should the court encounter a legal question needing a verdict and cannot find an answer in
legal writings, Halachic verdict, or through a conclusive clause, it will make a verdict based
upon principles of freedom, justice, fairness and peace according to Jewish heritage.
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Principle 12 – Preserving sacred sites:
Sacred sites will be protected from desecration, from any other damage and from anything
which may limit freedom of access for members of the different religions to those places sacred
to them or hurts their feelings.
Principle 13 – Infringement of rights:
One may not infringe on rights based on the basic law unless through a law which stands in line
with the values of the State, which has an appropriate intent and to a degree which does not
supersede that which is necessary, or by a law which has clearly been agreed upon.
Principle 14 – Strictness:
A basic law cannot be altered unless through a basic law accepted by a majority of Knesset
members.
Explanation
Background
The 19th Knesset was presented with two private bills regarding basic law: Israel – national
homeland of the Jewish people by MK Ze’ev Elkin (2505/19) and another by MK Ayelet Shaked,
MK Yariv Levin and MK Robert Eiltov (1550/19).
On June 8, 2014, decision no. 930 was made by the Ministers’ Committee for Legislative
Matters, presented by MK Shaked, Levin and Eiltov, whereby it was decided to write the Justice
Minister’s message, on the opinion of the Prime Minister, that a committee will be established
headed by the Minister and representatives of all coalition parties, which will examine the bill
and other bills on the matter. The decision received government approval on June 26, 2014 and
its number is 1761/930.
This committee did not present a draft bill on the matter.
On November 16, 2014 the Ministers’ Committee for Legislative Matters’ agenda included MK
Elkin’s bill (2505/19). The Justice Minister, according to her authority as chair of the Ministers’
Committee for Legislative Matters, decided to postpone deliberations over the bill.
Based on the current decision, the government will support a preliminary reading of the bill as
part of the initial deliberations in the Knesset assembly on the proposed bills on basic law:
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Israel – national homeland of the Jewish people presented by MK Ze’ev Elkin (2505/19) and
MK’s Ayelet Shaked, Yariv Levin and Robert Eiltov (1550/19). This is based on the agreement
with the bills’ presenters whereby the bills be attached to a government bill presented by the
Prime Minister on the matter, which will be drafted based on the principles presented in the
above appendix and be aligned with these principles. The government bill will be prepared in
coordination with the government legal advisor.
Financial data and influence on the state economy
No influence
Budget
N/A
Influence of bill on manpower
N/A
Previous government decisions on the matter
Government decision no. 1761/930 dated June 26, 2014
Ministers’ Committee for Legislative Matters decision no. 1230 dated November 16, 2014
Office of bill proposers’ legal advisor’s position
Prime Minister’s office legal advisor’s opinion is attached to the proposed decision.
Classifications
Main classification 08: Private legislation
Secondary classification 04: Israel and the Jewish people
Present by the Prime Minister
27 Cheshvan, 5775
November 19, 2014
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