basic law: israel – the nation state of the jewish people

1. Basic Principles

(a) The Land of Israel is the historical homeland of the Jewish people, in which the State of Israel was established.

(b) The State of Israel is the nation state of the Jewish People, in which it realizes its natural, cultural, religious and historical right to selfdetermination.

(c) The exercise of the right to national selfdetermination in t he State of Israel is unique to t he Jewish People.

2. State Symbols

(a) The name of the State is “Israel”.

(b) The State flag is white, with two light-blue stripes close to the edge, and a light-blue Star of David in its center.

(c) The State emblem is a seven-branched menorah with olive leaves on both sides, and the word “Israel” at its base.

(d) The State anthem is “Hatikvah”.

(e) Details regarding the State symbols shall be determined by law.

3. State Capital

Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel.

4. Language

(a) Hebrew is the State language.

(b) The Arabic language has a special status in the State; arrangements regarding the use of Arabic in state institutions or vis-à-vis them will be set by law.

(c) Nothing in this article shall affect the status given to the Arabic language before this law came into force.

5. Ingathering of the Exiles

The State shall be open for Jewish immigration, and for the Ingathering of the Exiles.

6. Connection with the Jewish People

(a) The State shall strive to ensure the safety of members of the Jewish People and of its citizens, who are in trouble and in captivity, due to their Jewishness or due to their citizenship.

(b) The State shall act, in the Diaspora, to preserve the ties between the State and members of t he Jewish People.

(c) The State shall act to preserve the cultural, historical and religious heritage of the Jewish People among Jews in t he Diaspora.

7. Jewish Settlement

The State views t he development of Jewish settlement as a national value, and shall act to encourage and promote its establishment and strengt hening.

8. Official Calendar

The Hebrew calendar is an official calendar of the state, and the civil calendar shall serve alongside it as an official calendar; t he use of the Hebrew calendar and the civil calendar shall be determined by law.

9. Independence Day and Memorial Days

(a) Independence Day is the official national holiday of the State.

(b) Memorial Day for the Fallen in Israel’s Wars, and the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, are official memorial days of t he state.

10. Days of Rest and Statutory Holidays

The Sabbath and the Jewish holidays are the established days of rest in the State; non-Jews have the right to observe the days of rest on their days of Sabbath and holidays; details regarding this matter shall be determined by law.

11. Entrenchment

This Basic Law shall not be modified except by a Basic Law, passed by a majority of the members of t he Knesset.