MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu) on Wednesday proposed an amendment to the Penal Law that would determine that a person who raises a flag or a symbol of an enemy state or a terrorist organization that acts to harm the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, is liable to a fine of up to 226,000 shekels and/or imprisonment for up to five years.
“In the State of Israel, the flag of the state is the flag of Israel. There is no reason that we should allow the raising in public areas and institutions of flags of countries, authorities or organizations that seek to harm the sovereignty of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state,” said Ilatov.
Matan Peleg, director of the Im Tirtzu movement, whose movement was one of the initiators of the bill, added, "A reality in which enemy flags are raised in public buildings and academic institutions as part of demonstrations against the state is absurd. This bill is important and justified because it aims to prevent extremist voices calling for the destruction of the state from being perceived as legitimate.”
"Freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate are immensely important, but not at the expense of calling for the destruction of the State of Israel. Such voices are not legitimate and should not be encouraged," Peleg added.