Attempt to outlaw word ‘Nazi’ stirs debate in Israel

Memories of the extermination of six millions Jews during the Second World War permeate virtually every aspect of life in Israel. Public figures and interest groups frequently invoke the genocide to score political points, and the word and Nazi symbols have slipped into Israeli discourse over the years.

The bill would impose a fine of 100,000 shekels (£17,000) and six months in jail for anybody using the word or symbols from Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich in a “wrong or inappropriate way”.

Educational settings would be exempt, as would certain artistic performances, said Shimon Ohayon, the bill’s sponsor.

The Knesset gave preliminary approval to the measure but it still must pass three more readings and committee discussions before becoming law.

A similar effort in 2012 fell in committee amid opposition.

Mr Ohayon, from the hard-line Yisrael Beitenu party, said the law would put Israel on par with other nations “battling anti-Semitism”. “We want to prevent disrespect of the Holocaust,” he said. “We allow too many freedoms which are taking over in a way that is harming us.”

Opponents say the measure endangers freedom of speech in a country that takes pride in being a democracy in a volatile region dominated by monarchies and authoritarian leaders.

“Week after week you want to shut mouths and harm freedom of expression,” said Zehava Galon, leader of the opposition Meretz party.

Preserving the memory of the Holocaust has become a central tenet of Israeli identity. Students learn about the event from a young age and thousands of 
high school pupils make an annual pilgrimage to Auschwitz 
and other Nazi death camps in Europe to forge a personal link 
to the murder of millions of 
Jews.

However, unlike other nations scarred by the Holocaust, such as Germany and France, Israel does not have a law specifically barring the use of Nazi symbols and they have crept into society.