Heads of diplomatic or consular missions will be required to pledge allegiance to the state of Israel and its laws

The bill, proposed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen, has been approved for second and third readings by the Constitution Committee of the Knesset, a key player in the legislative process.

A person whom the Government appoints to the post of the head of a diplomatic or consular mission abroad will be required, before being given the letter of appointment, to make the following declaration: "I swear to undertake to maintain loyalty to the State of Israel and its laws and to fulfill with honesty and faith every duty imposed on me as a civil servant."

Similar oaths are taken by other high-ranking Israeli officials, including the President of Israel, ministers, Knesset members, and the state comptroller.