Likud MK Seeks to Outlaw Displaying Enemy Flags at State-Funded Institutions

Amid the backdrop of the Yerushalayim Day flag march, MK Eli Cohen (Likud) submitted a bill to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday that would outlaw public displays of the flags of enemy states, including the Palestinian Authority, in institutions funded by the state, including universities.

In an unusual move, the committee decided to present the bill for a free vote in the Knesset plenum this coming Wednesday, meaning all MKs will be allowed to vote with their consciences rather than adhere to their parties’ dictates.

“The hypocrisy and incitement coming from a portion of the Arabs of Israel must be stopped,” said Cohen, a former intelligence minister. “They want to enjoy the funds they receive from the State of Israel while simultaneously opposing the State of Israel and impugning its sovereignty, and therefore the bill I submitted would outlaw displays of the flags of enemy states, including the Palestinian Authority, in state-funded public institutions. Those who view themselves as Palestinian, by the way, will receive all the assistance they need from us to move to Gaza on a one-way ticket.”

In accordance with the free vote protocol, and assuming that a majority of MKs from the Yamina, New Hope, and Yisrael Beitenu Parties vote in favor of the bill, it is expected to pass through the plenum.

As a reminder, Ben Gurion University in the Negev hosted a pro-Palestinian event on campus last Monday to mark “Nakba Day,” sparking widespread condemnation.