Referendum Bill Passes by a vote of 65 to 33

By Ted Belman

This is great news. To be sure Livni is against it because it undermines the Knesset as the decider. Afterall, they know better.

Erakat is against it as it “makes a mockery of international law”. What?

The Bill provides that if any agreement reached by the government which gives away part of Jerusalem or the Golan, it must be approved by a super majority of 72 votes. If it is approved by a simple majority only, it must be put to a referendum.

My only complaint is that the referendum should also require a super majority (60%) to approve it.

When Quebec had a referendum on whether to secede, I argued that a super majority should be reuired. When the Knesset voted in favour of Oslo, I similarly argued that a super majority should be necessary for such dramatic change.

So once again, I argue that the referendum should require a super majority.

CORRECTION: The referendum law applies to any land on which Israeli law applies, not just Jerusalem and the Golan. Thus if israel agreed to give some other Israeli land in exchange for the settlement blocks, the referendum law would apply.

November 23, 2010 | 3 Comments »

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  1. This is a great move and achievement

    But careful! i think it is only one small step in the right direction for Israel..

    I take the following from INN

    “A referendum prevents an irresponsible agreement and on the other hand makes it possible to achieve a strong public backing for an agreement that will respond to Israel’s national interests,” said Netanyahu.

    So in the mind of Netanyahu this can be used to hammer home a sell out of Judea and Samaria

    The key question still remains.

    I keep to the simple principle:

    Jews must live alone. Must be able to live alone. Anybody in their land, the Jewish Homeland is there as a guest.

    Arabs must step up to the mark and go for this too if they are ever to break from antisemitism

    I have reached this point of view based total on reason, not religion, although this has got biblical roots too…