Non-Zionist MK Henin tops Zionist Legislation Index

Henin: Zionism and democracy are contradictory; Likud's Levin, Habayit Hayehudi's Orlev also honored for Zionist activity.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Dov Henin 370 (photo credit: Courtesy Twitter)
Dov Henin 370
(photo credit: Courtesy Twitter)
The three most Zionist lawmakers in the 18th Knesset – according to the Institute for Zionist Studies think tank – are the Likud’s Yariv Levin, Habayit Hayehudi leadership candidate Zevulun Orlev and, ironically, Hadash MK Dov Henin – who does not identify as a Zionist.
Upon receiving notice of his ranking, Henin told the think tank it is “mistaken in its essence.”
“Your decision to include democratic legislation in your index creates a strange result, because you connect two values that are opposed and contradictory,” Henin wrote.
“I am proud of the democratic laws I passed in the Knesset, but there is a deep and significant contradiction between them and ‘Zionist laws’ that you support.”
The Hadash MK added that he is proud of his party that supports Arab-Jewish partnership as opposed to “nationalism and racism that is dominant in Israeli society.”
In the Zionist Legislation Index released this week, the think tank measures laws that promote not only Israel’s Jewish character, but also its democracy. The Institute for Zionist Studies listed categories such as defending citizens’ security, preserving Jewish and democratic identity, demographics and immigrant absorption, and strengthening democracy.
Henin proposed eight such laws, including an amendment to the Retirement Age Law, which the index said “promotes equality between men and women,” and an amendment to the Employment Services Law, which is meant to “prevent harming freedom of trade.”
Levin topped the index with nine Zionist bills, including the Boycott Law, which makes it illegal to boycott Israeli products based on where they were manufactured, and a bill regulating government funding to museums in memory of former prime ministers Menahem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin.
“It is a great honor for me to be a leader in Zionist legislation,” Levin said.
“I see steadfast and consistent activity to promote Zionist values, an essential and central stage in building the State of Israel and strengthen it to face the future.”
The seven Zionist bills Orlev proposed include one establishing an Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center and another aiding citizens removed from their homes following the Gaza disengagement.


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