Blocking Chances of Peace with Syrians and Palestinians, Israeli Parliament Conditions Withdrawals to Referendum, Two-Third Votes

Knesset approves law barring withdrawals without referendum

Tuesday July 01, 2008 03:43 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

On Monday evening, the Israeli parliament (Knesset in Hebrew) approved by preliminary reading a new law barring any withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories without a referendum or an approval by a minimum of two thirds Knesset majority.

The law passed by a majority of 65 members of Knesset to 18.

It states that any withdrawal from areas that are under Israeli control should be subject to a referendum, general elections, or an approval by at least 80 members of Knesset.

It is worth mentioning that the Knesset also approved another law barring any resident from being a candidate if he/she visits an “enemy state”.

Jamal Zahalka, head of the parliamentarian block of the National Democratic Assembly, said that the law proves that Israel did not mature yet and is not ready for a political settlement to the conflict.

Zahalka also stated that the law places more obstacles in front of the peace process and transforms peace talks into maneuvers to run the conflict instead of resolving it.

He added that occupation is not an internal Israeli issue to be decided by the Knesset, and that this issue should is an international case governed by the internal law and the international legitimacy.

“This vote is a test for Israel and its intensions”, Zahalka stated, “This vote is an official Israeli declaration that it rejects political solutions”.

The Knesset also approved another law barring any resident who visited a “hostile state” from running for Knesset elections.

The law was presented by member of Knesset, Zbolon Orlev, member of the Ichud Leumi – Mafdal party, and Esterina Tartman, from the Yisrael Beitenu party.

MK Zahalka said that Israel is trying to bar the Arab residents and Arab members of Knesset from holding any talks or communication with their Arab nation. He added that this law is mainly targeted Arab MK’s who visited Syria and Lebanon.

Fair Use Notice

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.