The Knesset Wednesday passed the referendum bill labeled the Continuity Law, passing in a 68-22 vote with one abstention. Defense Minister (Labor) Ehud Barak and Industry & Trade Minister (Labor) were among those who supported it. Interestingly, Barak commented that he opposes the bill but at the end, supported it.
Barak explained in his defense that he felt compelled to vote with the government as a member of the cabinet and coalition.
The bill demands that if less than 80 MKs voted in favor of a government decision to relinquish sovereignty over areas such as the Golan Heights and portions of Yerushalayim, a national referendum must take place. In the event the Knesset vote achieves 80 or more votes, a referendum would not be held.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
But they can then repeal that law by either a 61 vote majority (if it was a “Basic law”) or by a simple plurality, and then after repealing the requirement to hold a referendum, they can make territorial concessions with a simple plurality.
ANY and all law in Israel can be changed by passing a “Basic law” which requires only 61 votes.