Minister of Science, Culture, and Sport Raleb Majadele, Israel’s first Arab Muslim minister, is unwilling to sing Israel’s national anthem, HaTikva. Majadele defended his decision, saying he does not believe that “enlightened and sane Jews” would request a Muslim to sing a song which speaks to the Jewish people.

Majadele’s announcement led to protests from the national religious camp. MK Aryeh Eldad (NU/NRP) explained that he does not desire to force Majadele to sing the anthem, but believes that someone who does not identify with the character of the state as expressed by the national anthem should not be serving as a minister. MK Zevulun Orlev (NU/NRP) expressed concern that Majadele’s refusal might be a violation of his declaration of loyalty to the state, and requested that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ask Majadele if he is loyal to Israel as a Jewish state.