A bill sponsored by MK (Bayit Yehudi) Orit Struk calling to apply Knesset Law to areas of Yehuda and Shomron too was passed by the Ministerial Law Committee. Some feel the bill, which is dubbed the ‘Norms Bill’, will result in a harsh international response. It was met with an extremely tenacious and harsh response by committee member Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.

Endorsing the bill are MKs Yariv Levin (Likud), Ze’ev Elkin (Likud), Menachem Eliezer Moses (Yahadut Hatorah), David Rotem (Yisrael Beitenu), Avraham Michaeli (Shas) and Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi). They feel passing the bill into law would represent a major step in the correct direction towards a normalization of the situation in Yehuda and Shomron as compared to inside Green Line Israel.

The bill states that laws passed in Knesset would apply in those areas by order of the IDF Central District Commander, with the latter being signed within 45 days of the Knesset passing a law. The law would apply on all areas with an Oslo Agreement “C” designation, under total and exclusive Israeli rule. This would also include a number of Arab villages in Yosh.

Six ministers backed the bill; Uri Ariel, Uri Orbach, Gilad Erdan, Yair Shamir, Sofa Landver and Dr. Yuval Steinitz. Four ministers opposed the bill, including Livni, Yaakov Peri, Yair Lapid and Yael German. Both Livni and Lapid announced they will file an appeal for a revote. Livni warned this would negatively impact peace-making efforts with the PA and feels the bill is nothing more than a back door effort to impose Israeli control over Yehuda and Shomron.

Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein added his objections to the list of opponents, explaining from a legal standpoint it usurps the authority of the IDF Central District Commander.

Struk explains the bill intends to bring an end to the discrimination, adding even ministers who are not supportive of the settlements, they should back the bill for the civil rights aspect.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)