Acclaimed Israeli writers, entertainers and scientists are to petition the Supreme Court against the.

Passed by the Knesset last year the legislation defines Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Arabic has “special status” and is not an official language alongside Hebrew.

The petition calls for a clause to protect rights of minorities in Israel.

“Without the inclusion of minorities as part of the identity of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people, the National-State Law is unconstitutional,” notes the petition which states “Israel is the national home land of the Jewish people”.

David Harel, Weizmann Institute of Science, said, “The principle of equality among all citizens is not sacrosanct because of people’s belief in it, rather it has been a cornerstone of democracy. When a legislation such is this passes you automatically ignore 20 percent of the population and that is not democracy.”

Israel Prize winner’s amongst the group are writer David Grossman, actor Gavri Banai, educator Prof Alice Shalvi and artist Michal Na’aman.

Sculptor Dani Karavan noted, “It is my moral duty to join this petition. I believe in human rights within democracy, equality and I’m against discrimination. Anyone who fights for equality and human rights, I’m on his side. I’m filled with appreciation for the many young people who get up and fight not only for their rights, but for the rights of others.”