ISRAEL

New bill will outlaw the Palestinian flag at universities

The Israeli government’s legislative committee has approved a bill that will outlaw the display of the Palestinian flag at universities or public institutions, reports Asharq Al-Awsat. The approval of the bill comes in line with the ‘war’ waged by the ruling right-wing parties and the far-right opposition in Israel against the Palestinian flag.

According to lawmaker Eli Cohen of the opposition Likud party, who sponsored the bill, “the hypocrisy and the incitement from some Arab Israelis must stop. They want to enjoy the budget of the state of Israel and at the same time defy the state of Israel and harm its sovereignty.”

The legislative push, which came amid heightened tensions ahead of the nationalist Flag March for Jerusalem Day on Sunday 29 May, follows criticism of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev after Palestinian flags were displayed during a recent rally at the school in Beersheba. Responding to the criticism, the university noted in a statement that the events showed that students from all segments of Israeli society at the campus were able to “hold different opinions and views”.
Full report on the Asharq Al-Awsat site