Israeli Lawmakers Back Controversial Outpost Legalization Bill

In a bill that could have far-reaching implications for Israel’s diplomatic position, the Israeli Knesset voted in favor of a bill that would retroactively legalize almost 4000 homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in the West Bank. In a preliminary reading, the bill passed by 60-49. It will need to pass another three times, and could be changed as it is debated in committee. However, the bill will not apply to the outpost of Amona, which the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled must be evacuated by December 25th. The government is investigating moving the nine homes of Amona to a nearby hilltop, but Palestinians have filed some land ownership claims there as well. The new version of the bill, which passed, said the state would give Israelis who live on privately owned Palestinian land, “usage rights” but not ownership rights. The bill applies only to outposts that the Israeli government helped establish, and Palestinians who can prove ownership of the land would receive compensation. The outpost legalization bill had threatened to bring down the Israeli government, as Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon had said he would not vote in favor of a bill that opposes the Israeli Supreme Court decision. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had originally said he had reservations about the bill which could cause diplomatic damage. After its passage he said it would prevent “many Amonas”, referring to homes built on Palestinian land. MK Benny Begin (the son of former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin voted against the bill.) Opposition Knesset members had harsh words for the bill with Isaac Herzog saying it did not represent Zionism but “national suicide” that would bring about a bi-national state.