Yesterday, I posted an article that noted the passing of a bill to require a referendum before withdrawal from the territories.
It appears that it only applied to sovereign territories namely those annexed, i.e. Golan and Jerusalem. It doesn’t apply to Judea and Samaria.
The bill was approved in a preliminary Knesset reading by a 26-18 vote, against the position of the government. It must still pass additional Knesset readings as well as a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee vote before coming law.
“This vote proves that there is no majority in Israel’s Knesset supporting a return the Golan Heights to Syria,” MK Yitzchaki said. “The Prime Minister must now know clearly that it will not be he, but rather the people, who will decide whether to accept agreements concerning concession of sovereign Israeli land.”
Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Israelis are against giving away the Golan. The recent October Peace Index survey, carried out last year, showed that 67% of Israelis oppose giving away the Golan even in exchange for “full peace.” A giant protest rally seven years ago in Tel Aviv – some estimates were that half-a-million people showed up – put to rest until recently any talk of giving away the Golan.
Political Ramifications
“This is an important accomplishment for the opposition,” said Likud faction whip MK Gideon Saar. “Only 18 out of 78 coalition MKs supported the government’s position, proving that the coalition exists only on paper.”
It is one thing for the Knesset to pass laws that give over decision making as regards Israeli sovereign territory to the will of the people by way of referendum.
It is quite another for the government and Knesset to give over final decision making power via referendum to the Israeli people as regards J & S which is not Israeli sovereign territory as Israel has not annexed that land.