The law that will oblige Israeli diplomats to declare loyalty and recognition of the State of Israel, initiated by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, that will oblige all Israeli diplomats to declare recognition of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, was approved by the Constitution Committee for second and third reading.
The Law and Constitution Committee of the Knesset today (Monday) unreservedly approved Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's law stating that ambassadors, diplomats and consuls in the Foreign Service of the State of Israel will be required to make an explicit declaration to maintain the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and this as a condition for appointments.
The demand to enact such a law came after a series of attempts to appoint officials who refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state and to declare this publicly, with an emphasis on the attempt to appoint ambassadors during the term of the previous government, such as Rinawie Zoabi who did not recognize the State of Israel as Jewish and democratic.
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen explained to the committee: "The role of state envoys and representatives is to represent the State of Israel and its values and to act for its interests. The State of Israel is a Jewish and democratic state, and anyone who does not recognize this cannot serve as ambassador and represent the State of Israel."