The Knesset’s plenum approved in the preliminary reading a bill proposed by Member of Knesset Avi Maoz to apply Israeli sovereignty over territories in the West Bank, with 25 votes in favor and 24 against.
The bill aims to implement Israeli law, administration, and sovereignty over all settlement areas in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructing coalition members to vote against it.
Edelstein from the Likud party broke ranks with Netanyahu and voted in favor. The bill will now be referred to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for discussion. Likud described the vote as an opposition campaign aimed at influencing Israel’s relations with the United States, emphasizing that settlement reinforcement is carried out through actions, budgets, construction, and development, rather than symbolic legislation, citing sovereignty examples in the Golan Heights and Jerusalem.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the vote, calling it a historic day and praising the support of the “Jewish Power” party for the bill. He added that the right-wing government is acting in the interest of Israeli citizens and that the step represents the implementation of Israeli sovereignty over the targeted territories, despite international pressure on political parties.
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