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| Israel's new government fails to extend controversial citizenship law | Israel's new government fails to extend controversial citizenship law |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The law was the first test for new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett | The law was the first test for new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett |
| Israel's parliament has failed to pass an extension to a controversial law barring Palestinians from the occupied West Bank or Gaza who marry Israelis from being granted citizenship rights. | Israel's parliament has failed to pass an extension to a controversial law barring Palestinians from the occupied West Bank or Gaza who marry Israelis from being granted citizenship rights. |
| After a debate that lasted through the night, the vote was tied 59 to 59. | After a debate that lasted through the night, the vote was tied 59 to 59. |
| It was the first major political test for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's coalition since it took office in June. | It was the first major political test for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's coalition since it took office in June. |
| The legislation, which critics say is discriminatory, is now due to expire at the end of Tuesday. | The legislation, which critics say is discriminatory, is now due to expire at the end of Tuesday. |
| Israel's new PM Bennett promises to unite nation | Israel's new PM Bennett promises to unite nation |
| The rise of Naftali Bennett, Israel's new PM | The rise of Naftali Bennett, Israel's new PM |
| Mr Bennet set up the vote on the citizenship law as a vote of confidence in his new ideologically-diverse government, which includes left-wing, centrist, right-wing and Arab parties. | |
| He had hoped a compromise tabled on Monday would be accepted. | He had hoped a compromise tabled on Monday would be accepted. |
| But in a tense, late-night session, 59 members of parliament voted in favour and 59 against, with two abstentions from the United Arab List, a party representing Israel's Arab minority that sits in the coalition. | But in a tense, late-night session, 59 members of parliament voted in favour and 59 against, with two abstentions from the United Arab List, a party representing Israel's Arab minority that sits in the coalition. |
| Right-wing opposition politicians who had formerly supported the legislation, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voted against the law to embarrass Mr Bennett, who leads the right-wing nationalist Yamina party. | Right-wing opposition politicians who had formerly supported the legislation, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voted against the law to embarrass Mr Bennett, who leads the right-wing nationalist Yamina party. |
| The Citizenship and Entry Law was originally passed in 2003, at the time of the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, when Palestinian militants were carrying out attacks inside Israel. | The Citizenship and Entry Law was originally passed in 2003, at the time of the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, when Palestinian militants were carrying out attacks inside Israel. |
| The authorities have renewed it every year since, citing security reasons. | The authorities have renewed it every year since, citing security reasons. |
| However, critics believe it is motivated by the desire to maintain a Jewish majority in Israel. | However, critics believe it is motivated by the desire to maintain a Jewish majority in Israel. |
| Thousands of Palestinians married to Israeli citizens but unable to claim citizenship rights may now be able to do so. | Thousands of Palestinians married to Israeli citizens but unable to claim citizenship rights may now be able to do so. |
| You may also be interested in | You may also be interested in |
| Israel's new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, addresses the Knesset at his first cabinet meeting | Israel's new Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, addresses the Knesset at his first cabinet meeting |