A Nazareth District Court on Thursday ruled that the venomous northern Israel branch of the Islamic Movement can hold a mass public event protesting the existence of the Jewish state on Israel's independence day next week.
Israel's Interior Ministry had originally refused to issue a permit for the public gathering, which is to take place at a stadium in the Galilee village of Kfar Kana.
Many Israeli Arabs annually mark what they call "the catastrophe," or nakba in Arabic, while the rest of the nation is celebrating Israel's rebirth. Prominent Israeli Arab Knesset members usually take part in the nakba events.
One leading Israeli lawmaker told The Jerusalem Post that allowing Israeli Arabs opposed to the existence of the Jewish state to hold a mass rally on Independence Day "is an embarrassing decision that testifies to complete moral and Zionist bankruptcy."
Another right-wing lawmaker warned that the event will be full of anti-Israel incitement, and will be interpreted by the Arabs as offering legitimacy to the use of terrorism against Israel.