Land of Israel Caucus Submits Bill to Extend Referendum Law to Judea, Samaria

Photo Credit: courtesy, Land of Israel Caucus

Land of Israel Caucus co-chairs

The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee headed by MK Simcha Rothman is set to hold hearings on a legislative bill that would extend Israel’s Referendum Law to all of Judea and Samaria, in addition to the country’s territorial waters.

The bill was initiated by 23 MKs from the Likud, Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, United Torah Judaism, Shas, New Hope – National Right and Yisrael Beiteinu factions, who asked Rothman to “convene a special hearing … regarding amendment of Israel’s Basic Law: Referendum (5774).”

“The purpose of this hearing is to amend the territorial scope of the existing law to include Judea and Samaria, and to clarify that the geographical scope of the law also includes Israel’s territorial waters,” the Land of Israel Caucus co-chairs said.

“We consider this amendment important and essential at this time and request that the hearing be scheduled as soon as possible.”

The proposed amendment to the Basic Law will for the first time enshrine the obligation to approve any agreement that includes the transfer of territories and the creation of a Palestinian state in areas under Israeli jurisdiction by an absolute majority of 61 Knesset members, and by a referendum or a special majority of at least 80 Knesset Members.

The law is also expected to close the loophole that allowed then-Prime Minister Yair Lapid (currently leader of the opposition) to sign an agreement in which Israeli territorial waters were ceded to Lebanon.

“This is the time for action and the Land of Israel Caucus is taking proactive steps that will shape future political arrangements,” said the heads of the Land of Israel Caucus, MKs Yuli Edelstein, Limor Son Har Melech and Simcha Rothman.

“There is a broad consensus in Israeli society and in the Knesset that a Palestinian state must not be established.”

Earlier this year, an overwhelming majority of the Knesset voted in favor of a declaration rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“The bill that is now being promoted is the practical expression of that declarative decision,” the co-chairs said.

“The statement we are making is clear: After October 7th, the State of Israel will not allow terrorist groups to endanger the security of our citizens by establishing a base of operations on or within our borders.

“The Israel Security Law seeks to amend the Referendum Law and to bring all areas of the historic Land of Israel and our territorial waters within the scope of the law.”