Knesset Caucus to propose bill preventing Palestinian state
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The Israel Security Law would require an absolute majority of at least 80 Knesset members to approve any agreement involving the "transfer" of lands in the occupied West Bank.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the head of the table, center right, and lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 24, 2023 (AP)
The Land of Israel Caucus in the Israeli Knesset will propose a new bill aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state through the transfer of territories, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
The Israel Hayom newspaper stated that the Israel Security Law would require an absolute majority of at least 80 Knesset members to approve any agreement involving the transfer of lands in the occupied West Bank.
According to the report, the Constitution Committee, chaired by Knesset member Simcha Rothman, a leading figure in the Caucus, is expected to discuss the proposal soon. For the first time, the bill would apply the Referendum Law to the entire West Bank and territorial waters.
The proposal stipulates that any agreement involving the transfer of lands or the establishment of a Palestinian state would require either an absolute majority of 61 Knesset members and a public referendum, or alternatively, a supermajority of 80 Knesset members.
The leaders of the Caucus said "Israel" will not allow, after October 7, Palestinian fighters to establish a foothold near the borders and endanger the security of Israelis.
The Israel Security Law amends the Referendum Law, placing all occupied territories and territorial waters under its jurisdiction.
Israel Hayom also cited the leaders of the Land of Israel Caucus as saying, "There is broad consensus in Israeli society and the Knesset that a Palestinian state must not be established."
It is noteworthy that in mid-July, the Israeli Knesset voted to pass a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Parties from Netanyahu's coalition and right-wing parties from the opposition, including Benny Gantz's State Camp party, co-sponsored the resolution.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in the Knesset, "The Palestinian State cannot be established because there is no such thing as a Palestinian people."
In February, the Knesset passed a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, however, the motion specifically addressed a unilateral establishment of such a state without "Israel's" approval.
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