Israeli law sets conditions on parliamentary candidates

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Knesset (Israel’s parliament) on Tuesday evening approved legislation setting conditions on who can contest future parliamentary polls.

Under the law, anyone who fails to acknowledge Israel's right to exist “as a Jewish state" will be barred from contesting parliamentary polls, according to a statement released by the Knesset's information office.

The ban also applies to anyone who allegedly "incites hatred or supports armed action by an enemy or terrorist organization against the State of Israel”.

In its third reading on Tuesday evening, the bill was approved with 29 Knesset members voting in favor and 20 voting against.