Responding to the passage of the “Nation-State Bill,” Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund, released the following statement:

“This is tribalism at its worst. Beginning with Israel’s Declaration of Independence, the Jewish value of human dignity and the principle of the equality of all people have formed the democratic foundation of the state. This law has betrayed those values. It is a slap in the face to Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel. Legislation that identifies first- and second-class citizens has no place in a democracy.

“This law is a danger to Israel’s future. And no matter what extremist politicians do, the New Israel Fund and our grantees will stand up for the democratic, equitable, and shared society all Israelis deserve.”