Knesset Committee Passes Bill Banning Use of Nazi Words and Symbols

A bill making the use of Nazi name-calling and symbols in public punishable by a fine was approved by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Monday. Proposed by MK Uri Ariel from the National Union, the bill comes in the wake of a recent protest by Haredi groups, in which participants dressed in concentration camp uniforms and depicted images from the Holocaust.

Free speech proponents say the bill is part of a larger trend on limiting free expression in Israel. But MK Ariel said “this use is completely illegitimate and it makes no difference if those behind the use are Bilin rioters, Haredim or price tag criminals.”