In Jerusalem, the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu proposed a bill to ban the display of the Palestinian flag in universities and other institutions funded by the State of Israel. This information was relayed Thursday by various local media.
The bill provides for severe penalties for those who violate this ban. Violators would face fines of up to 10,000 shekels, which is equivalent to about $2,700, and a prison sentence of up to a year. This legislation would apply to all institutions receiving public funding.
According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the ministerial committee on legislation in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is due to consider the draft at its next session, scheduled for Sunday. This legislative initiative was introduced by Nissim Vaturi, a member of the Likud party.
The text aims to ban flags considered to belong to “hostile states”, which includes the Palestinian flag, in public spaces. Gatherings using this symbol may be dispersed, and demonstrators will face the sanctions provided for.
Note that more than 20% of Israeli citizens are of Arab origin. Many of them fly the Palestinian flag during demonstrations against Israeli policies in the occupied territories. Arab students at Israeli universities often express their dissatisfaction with government decisions by organizing protests, where this flag is frequently present.
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