Israel Bill To ‘Legalize’ Illegal Outposts Headed for Vote
Image by Getty Images
(JTA) — A controversial bill that would legalize some settlements built on private Palestinian land is expected to be put to a final vote in the Israeli parliament.
The so-called outpost bill is due to be brought to a final vote in the Knesset on Monday evening, the Times of Israel reported.
Netanyahu, who was in London Monday for talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May, had reportedly sought to delay the vote. But coalition chairman David Bitan told the Times of Israel the vote would “definitely” take place on Monday.
The bill, which would legalize outposts unwittingly built on Palestinian land in the West Bank, has drawn sharp condemnation. Leaders of the Zionist Union and Yesh Atid, the second and fourth largest parties in the Knesset respectively, have both warned against its passage. The bill is supported by the pro-settlement Jewish Home party.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump, in his first statement on Israeli settlements since taking office, said construction of new settlements “may not be helpful” in reaching a peace agreement, though he denied that existing settlements are impediments to a deal.
Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet in Washington on Feb. 15.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
