E/CN.4/1992/52 page 133 2. The Basic Laws are supported and accompanied by laws which aim at protecting the rights of Israeli inhabitants. Under the Defamation Law 1965 (L.S.I, vol. 19, p. 254), the Attorney-General may initiate libel proceedings against anyone who reviles or defames any group of citizens on the basis of their race, nationality, colour, creed or religion. A conviction under this statute does not require the strict test of a 'clear and present danger' of damage, nor are discriminatory statements regarded as protected forms of speech. In practice, this statute serves as an effective deterrent to public expressions of religious discrimination. 3. The Penal Law: Offences against Sentiments of Religion and Tradition Sec. 170-174 (L.S.I. Special Vol. Penal Law, 5737-1977) is aimed directly at protecting religious sentiments. In addition to protecting places and objects of worship and prohibiting trespass on places of worship or burial, the law makes it a criminal offence to outrage, by print or speech, religious sentiments. 4. In a case regarding a theatre show which offended the religious sentiments of a group of citizens the High Court of Justice reiterated the importance which freedom of expression has in Israeli society and reaffirmed its commitment to that principle. Nevertheless, the Court held that it will limit freedom of expression when it is used abusively as when it is deemed to be a gross offence to religious sensibilities (H.C.J. 351/72 26 P.D. II 811). 5. The Penal Law, Sec. 144 A-E Incitement to Racism (L.S.I. Special Vol. Penal Law, 5737-1977 as amended 1986) makes it a crime to print or publish any matter with the intent of incitement to racism. This applies to all publications, whether they are of a religious or a secular nature. 6. The Knesset responded directly to the threat posed to Israel's egalitarian character by the racist activities of the late Meir Kahane and his Kach party. The Knesset voted to amend its own Rules of Procedure, permitting the Presidium to refuse to place on the floor of the Knesset Bills that were of a racist nature or violated the democratic nature of the State. 7. Furthermore, The Basic Law: the Knesset (L.S.I, vol. 12, p. 85) was amended in 1986 so as to prohibit any candidate with racist intentions from running for the Parliament. The Law now reads as follows: '7A. A list of candidates will not be eligible to participate in elections for the Knesset if there appears among its objectives or by its actions, either expicitly or implicitly one of the following: (1) Negation of the State of Israel as the State of the Jewish People. (2) Negation of the Democratic Nature of the State. (3) Incitement to Racism.'