Israeli Knesset approves new decision on identity of Syrian people in the Golan

The Israeli Knesset on Wednesday approved a nationality draft bill proposed by Knesset member Saleh Tarif. The newly-enacted law permits dropping the Israeli nationality without the consent of the Israeli Ministry of the Interior.

Israeli radio said that this law pertains in particular to the Druze of the Golan Heights. The law passed by a vote of 24 - 18. The radio added that the Israeli Minister of the Interior Eli Suissa opposed this law and said he will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss this matter.

Israeli radio quoted a Syrian citizen of the Golan, Jamal Muhammad al-Safadi, from Masada village in the Golan Heights as saying, "Citizens who obtained the Israeli nationality are of no value and are socially boycotted."

During the Knesset session, Tarif said the Israeli government does not oppose such a law, adding that, "Every man has the right to drop his nationality without the consent of the Ministry of the Interior."

Naturally, he added, "The people of the Golan have the right to quit their Israeli identity because the Golan Heights is under Syrian-Israeli talks."