The Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved Monday the referendum bill mandating that any government decision on ceding Israeli territorieswould require a referendum. The motion was carried in the committee seven to two.
The bill specifies that the government must first approve such a move with a minimal majority of 60 Knesset members.
According to the bill, should the government agree to cede territories which are under complete Israeli sovereignty – like the Golan Heights or east Jerusalem – as part of a future peace deal, the motion will be brought before the Knesset.
Should the motion pass, a referendum would be held within 180 days.
The bill notes an exception, saying that should such a motion pass with an 80-MK majority, a referendum would be possible, but not obligatory.
The private bill was submitted three years ago and even passed its first Knesset reading, before being suspended.