Binyamin Netanyahu
Binyamin NetanyahuMarc Israel Sellem/POOL

Prime Minister binyamin Netanyahu sharply criticized opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid after the Nationality Law passed its initial reading.

Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook page: 'Why are Lapid and Herzog voting against a law which anchors Israel's status as a Jewish and democratic state? I'm sorry that all the left-wing parties voted against the law.

"Are they opposed to Hatikva as the national anthem? Are they opposed to the blue and white flag? Do they deny Israel's being the national home of the Jewish nation? I expect all the Zionist parties to place small politics behind them and vote for the law. The Nationality Law is a powerful answer to all those who deny the deep connection between our people and our country," wrote Netanyahu.

Earlier on Wednesday,the Knesset approved for initial reading the Nationality Law proposed by MK Avi Dichter (Likud). The law passed its initial reading by a majority of 48 to 41 and will be transferred to the law committee to be drafted for its first reading.

The law legislates Israel's status as the national home of the Jewish people and emphasizes that Hebrew is the official language of the state and has a "special status". The law also states that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

During a stormy Knesset session leading up to the vote, MKs Hanin Zuabi and Abd Al-Hakim Haj Yahya of the Joint Arab List were ejected from the plenum.