Israeli AffairsReports & Articles

Knesset will vote again on emergency regulations

The coalition has pledged to make every effort to secure a majority.

Jerusalem24– Israeli television station Kan reports that the Israeli coalition intends to put forward a new vote on a bill to extend emergency regulations in the West Bank again this Sunday, after the coalition failed to mobilize a majority on a vote that took place two days ago.

The coalition has pledged to make every effort to secure a majority.

The Israeli coalition failed to mobilize a majority to extend the provisions of the law on Monday, following the opposition of MK Mazen Ghaneim from the United Arab List during the Knesset vote two days ago.

The law was supported by 52 members of the coalition blocs, while 58 members of Knesset opposed it. None of those present abstained from voting. Right-wing parties in the opposition refused support for the law as well as all other laws the government currently proposes.

The law, which extends “emergency provisions” in the occupied West Bank, was passed 55 years ago after the Six-Day War and includes a set of emergency regulations instituted by the government. Every five years a law is passed to extend its implementation across the occupied West Bank.

According to the Israel Democracy Institute, the law allows Israel to apply its laws and legal systems in the occupied territories. The regulations provide the authority for an Israeli to be tried in Israel according to Israeli civil and military law. The same law is also used to try Palestinians in military courts in the West Bank, and transfer them to an Israeli prison within the Green Line if sentenced. The practice is illegal under international law.

As Israeli settlements were established in the territories, the law was made so as to consider the Israelis living in the territories as residents of Israel – for the sake of state obligations such as taxes and licensing. Over five decades it has created a de facto situation in which two peoples are living in the same area under different legal systems, to the benefit of the Israelis.

Mohammad Hamayel

Ramallah based journalist, Mohammad graduated from Al-Quds University with a B.A. in Media and Television. He has covered the 2015 Jerusalem Intifada as well as the Great March of Return for international media outlets. currently an editor/presenter at Jerusalem24. A UN alumni and a follower of global events and politics, especially American affairs.

Related Articles

Back to top button