An Israeli draft law that would criminalize the use of the word Nazi in most cases has sparked a debate on freedom of speech in a state that was founded out of the ashes of the Holocaust.
Seven decades later， memories of the extermination of millions of Jews during World War II permeate virtually every aspect of life in Israel. Public figures and interest groups frequently invoke the World War II genocide to score political points， and the word and Nazi symbols have slipped into Israeli discourse over the years.
The bill would impose a fine of 100，000 shekels and six months in jail for anybody using the word or symbols from Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich in a "wrong or inappropriate way." Educational settings would be exempt， as would certain artistic performances， said Shimon Ohayon， the bill’s sponsor.
The Knesset gave preliminary approval to the measure， but it still must pass three more readings and committee discussions before becoming law. A similar effort in 2012 fell in committee amid opposition.