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Controversial Regulation Bill moves forward after initial Knesset vote
Following a heated debate the Knesset has voted in favour of the Regulation Bill in its preliminary vote, which proposes to retroactively legalise a number of West Bank outposts built on private Palestinian land.
The bill must still pass three Knesset votes and receive the approval of Israel’s courts in order to become law. However, in a strong indication that it would be backed by the Knesset, yesterday’s preliminary vote was carried by 60 votes in favour and 49 against.
The legislation is spearheaded by Jewish Home, which has been pushing heavily to prevent the evacuation of the Amona outpost. The High Court ruled that Amona was built illegally and must be dismantled by 25 December.
The Regulation Bill originally sought to retroactively legalise Amona and other outposts. However, coalition partner Kulanu initially blocked the bill, saying it would not approve an attempt to undermine the court’s decision. A revised version of the bill, voted yesterday, will keep the Amona decision by the High Court intact, but will allow settlers the retroactive usage, although not ownership, of similar outposts which were established with government assistance. It is estimated that the bill could legalise up to 4,000 West Bank homes.
Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett said that yesterday was “a historic day in the Knesset, which went from establishing a Palestinian state to Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria [West Bank]”. However, opposition leader and Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog described it as a “black day for the Knesset,” and that the bill represents “national suicide” as it would bring about a binational state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to request a 30-day extension from the High Court on the Amona evacuation, to finalise a housing solution for the outpost’s residents.
It is highly likely that even if approved by the Knesset, the bill will be challenged in court. It is widely reported that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit does not back the current draft legislation and regards it as unconstitutional.