Israel begins for the first time to…
July 1985 CE
Israel begins for the first time to reform its economic structures, which until now have been controlled by the state and the labor federation, Histadrut.
In Israel itself, several new developments strengthen Arab feelings of alienation from the Jewish majority.
Ultranationalists increase their demands for more Jewish settlements and the annexation of the West Bank and advocate the forceful removal of the Palestinian Arabs.
The Israeli parliament passes a bill in 1985 banning any political party that endangers state security—i.e., any party that is anti-Zionist.
This reinforces the feeling of most Israeli Arabs that no legal political party can adequately reflect their national, economic, and political views, although the only party actually banned is the anti-Arab Kach Party.