Egypt rejects Jewish-nation law passed by Israeli parliament

The ministry says the law could also affect the 'right of return' for Palestinian refugees

Arab lawmakers stand up in protest during a Knesset session in Jerusalem, Thursday, July 19, 2018. Israel's parliament approved a controversial piece of legislation on Thursday that defines the country as the nation-state of the Jewish people but which critics warn sidelines minorities. (AP Photo/Olivier Fitoussi)

Arab lawmakers stand up in protest during a Knesset session in Jerusalem on July 19, 2018. AP

Jul 22, 2018

Egypt's government says it rejects a controversial legislation passed by Israel's parliament defining Israel as a nation-state of the Jewish people.

Saturday's statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry says the law adopted on Thursday by the Knesset "consolidates the notion of occupation and racial segregation and undermines the chances of achieving peace".

The ministry says the law could also affect the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees displaced since 1948. It urges the international community to uphold the Palestinians' historical and legal rights and to push for resuming negotiations and advancing peace efforts in support of a two-state solution.

Egypt was the first Arab country to make peace with Israel in 1979.

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