Amendments to anti-discrimination law raise concerns in Israel

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Concerns grow inside Israel over proposed amendments to an anti-discrimination law as part of agreements between Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies.

Last week, Netanyahu announced that he had completed the formation of his new government with his allies in the right-wing camp.

The Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law prohibits discrimination in supplying products and public services and giving entry based on race, religion, religious affiliation, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, views, political affiliation, personal status, and paternity.

But under agreements between Netanyahu and his allies, private stores or shops are free to supply or deny a service if it violates the vendor's religious beliefs, and as long as the service or product is "not unique" and can be found in a nearby store with a similar price.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the amendments have raised concerns in commercial activities amid fears of refusing to supply services to members of the LGBTQ community.

Israeli lawmaker Orit Strock, of the Religious Zionism Party, defended the proposed amendment. She argued that doctors should be allowed to refuse to provide treatments that contravene their religious beliefs, as long as another doctor is willing to provide the same treatment.

“If a doctor is asked to give any type of treatment to someone that violates his religious faith, if there is another doctor who can do it then you can’t force them to provide treatment,” Strock, who will be a minister for national projects in the incoming government, told public broadcaster KAN.

Her party lawmaker Simcha Rothman echoed a similar view, saying hotels that refuse to provide a service to gay people on religious grounds would be entitled to do so.

The remarks, however, drew fire from outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who blamed Netanyahu for the rise of such sentiments, saying he was "leading us to a benighted state [ruled by] Jewish law."

Netanyahu is expected to present his government to the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) this week to gain confidence.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara