Minister Raleb Majadle cannot be punished for saying that his primary allegiance is to Islam and not to the state of Israel, Knesset Legal Advisor Nurit Elstein has determined. Elstein gave her opinion following a request filed by MK Uri Ariel (NU/NRP) with the Knesset's Ethics Committee.
Ariel's request followed a statement by Majadle who, speaking before the Knesset on the subject of Temple Mount digs by the Waqf, said: "Before I am a government minister, I am first and foremost a Muslim." He also said: "In case of a discrepancy between the law and my deep faith as a Muslim, I shall know what to choose."
Elstein determined that the ministers' oath of allegiance is not legally binding, and is strictly a ceremonial pledge. Ariel responded by saying that the Knesset has to choose between two possibilities: either scrap the ceremonial statements or make them legally binding. He promised to act to change the current state of affairs.