World Jewish News
Knesset passes law requiring referrendum on territorial pullbacks
23.11.2010 The Knesset approved a bill that will require a national referendum on a pullback from territories under Israel's control.
The bill covers eastern Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, which were annexed by Israel, and land swaps from within Israel's 1967 borders, but not the West Bank. It will make it more difficult for a prime minister to make territorial concessions in future negotiations, by requiring a Knesset supermajority to approve the concessions or approval by a national referendum overseen by the Central Elections Committee within 180 days.
The bill passed its second and third readings late Monday night with 65 lawmakers voting in favor, 33 opposing, and the remaining absent or abstaining.
"The Israeli public is involved, aware and responsible, and I trust that on the day of decision it will support an agreement that answers to Israel's national interests and security needs," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said following the bill's passage.
JTA
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