A proposed law that defines Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people is stirring fierce debate in the country, and among politicians.<br /> <br />Rights groups have condemned the draft legislation as 'racist' and say it discriminates against Israel's minorities, which make up 20 per cent of the population.<br /> <br />The Cabinet vote, which comes at a time of heightened tensions with Palestinians, was passed by a majority of 14 votes to 6.<br /> <br />The wording of the bill has yet to be finalised, and requires approval by the Knesset. <br />It is intended to become part of Israel's basic laws, and would recognise Israel's Jewish character, institutionalise Jewish law as an inspiration for legislation, and drop Arabic as a second official language.<br /> <br />Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the bill is necessary because people were challenging the notion of Israel as a Jewish homeland.<br /> <br />Addressing the cabinet, Netanyahu said: "The state of Israel is the nation state of the Jewish People. It has equal individual rights for every citizen and we insist on this. <br /> <br />"But only the Jewish People have national rights: A flag, anthem, the right of every Jew to immigrate to the country, and other national symbols. These are granted only to our people, in its one and only state."<br /> <br />So are the edges being blurred in Israel between politics and religion, the state and democracy?<br /> <br />And how much is religion and nationalism playing into the broader issues in the Middle East?<br /> <br />Presenter : Mike Hanna<br /> <br />Guests<br /><br /><br />Jeremy Saltan - former Knesset candidate and supporter of the right wing party 'The Jewish Home'.<br /> <br />Ahmad Tibi - Palestinian member and deputy speaker of the Israeli Knesset.<br /> <br />Jeff Haynes - associate dean and professor of politics at London Metropolitan University.<br /><br />Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe<br />Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/AJEnglish<br />Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera<br />Check our website http://www.aljazeera.com/
