By Ann Flower Seyse
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel – On May 31, the committee which advances bills to the Israeli parliament voted against proposing the ‘loyalty oath’ bill to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. The committee rejected the proposal eight votes to three.

The only votes in favor of this bill in committee were cast by members of the Yisrael Beitenu party, the same party that introduced the bill initially. The Yisrael Beitenu party has been described as “ultra right”, and is headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. This loyalty bill was one of Lieberman’s main campaign pledges.

Members of other parties thought that the bill’s intentions were discriminatory, and were glad to see that the majority of the people on the committee that concurred, and voted down the measure. Israeli Arab Lawmaker Jamal Zahalka called the vote “an achievement in the fight against fascism and racism.” 

The proposed legislation would have mandated that all Israeli citizens to swear allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish, Zionist, and democratic state before they could be issued national identification documents that are required for all citizens over age 16. The bill would have also forced all citizens to either work for a period of national service, or serve in the army. If a citizen did not comply with their service requirement their citizenship could be revoked. Many saw this bill as discriminatory, especially towards Arab citizens, and Orthodox Jews. Most Arab citizens do not serve in the Israeli military, though a few volunteer to serve.

The bill could still be “privately sponsored” by a member of the Yisrael Beitenu party, who introduced the bill initially. However, given the lack of support that this bill received in committee, it is unlikely to pass the legislature. It would be required to pass an extra, fourth vote on the Knesset floor.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera- Israel ‘Loyalty Law’ Rejected – 31 May 2009

AP- Israel Throws Out Proposed ‘Loyalty Law’– 31 May 2009

Reuters- Israeli Cabinet Rejects Proposed Loyalty Oath – 31 May 2009

Examiner- Hardline Israeli Party to Introduce Loyalty Bill– 25 May 2009

By Meredith Lee-Clark
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TSKHINVALI, South Ossetia—The European Union has called the May 31 elections in South Ossetia “illegitimate,” and has stated that the EU will not recognize the results.  Eduard Kokoity, leader of the pro-Russian party, Yedinstvo (Unity), received nearly sixty percent of the vote, according to an early count.

South Ossetia was the site of intense fighting between Russian and Georgian forces during August 2008.  After the fighting ceased, South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia, and Russia recognized South Ossetia as an independent republic, as well as Abkhazia, another separatist region in the Georgian Republic.  The majority of nations consider South Ossetia a part of Georgia, while Russia and Nicaragua have recognized the region as an independent nation.

Prior to the election, critics called for an election boycott, stating that Kokoity sought a landslide victory in order to secure his hold on power, and ultimately unite the region with North Ossetia, which lies in the Russian Federation.  Critics also cited evidence that Kokoity, a former Russian wrestling champion, stifled dissent and intimidated political rivals.  Although four parties initially vied for the thirty-four parliamentary seats, the election commission barred participation by the two parties that did not support Kokoity.  Approximately 50,000 South Ossetians were eligible to vote, and Russian authorities set up voting stations inside Russia for expatriates and those who fled the August 2008 hostilities.

The Georgian minister of reintegration, Temuri Yakovashbili, echoed the EU’s sentiments, saying that few Georgians or ethnic Ossetians are left in the region after the August 2008 fighting.
One correspondent in South Ossetia said that the election results would increase the tension between Russia and Georgia.  “South Ossetia is basically propped up by Russia,” says Matthew Colin, a journalist for Al Jazeera, “It is a tiny area that could only ever survive with Russian military, economic, and political support… The question is…will the tensions around the border area erupt again into violence.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – EU Condemns S Ossetia elections – 1 June 2009

Associated Press – EU calls South Ossetia elections “illegitimate” – 1 June 2009

TIME – South Ossetia’s No-Hope Elections – 1 June 2009

New York Times – South Ossetians Elect Parliament – 31 May 2009

Voice of America – Longtime Separatist Leader Ahead in South Ossetia Election – 31 May 2009