The Knesset plenum on Wednesday passed a new law requiring a voter referendum before any further Israeli withdrawal from territories. The law was passed in its preliminary reading despite strong opposition, including from the prime minister's bureau.

The law, passed by a margin of 26 MKs for to 18 against, was the initiative of former coalition government head and Kadima MK Avigdor Yitzhaki. MKs Ze'ev Elkin and Marina Solodkin of the Kadima faction voted in favor of the law, as did head of the Labor faction Yoram Marciano and fellow Labor MKs Avishay Braverman and Orit Noked.

The law was supported by a concerted effort on the part of a lobby for the Golan Heights communities, who maintain that a potential Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights will be much less likely to occur if it will require the approval of a national referendum.

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A law written by MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beitenu) and MK Zevulon Orlev (NRP) was also passed by the Knesset plenum during its preliminary reading on Wednesday. The law would require MKs to pledge their devotion to keeping Israel "a Jewish and democratic state, both in character and symbolism."

The law is one of a number of new legislative measures taken against Arab MKs after the revelation that the security establishment suspects former-MK Azmi Bishara (Balad) of assisting Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War.

During the debate in the General Assembly, MK Zehava Gal-on (Meretz) called the law "a fascist law" and MK Ahmad Tibi (Ra'am-Ta'al) said that "soon enough they'll require us to wear a uniform."

MK Rotem stated that if faith in the State of Israel is fascist, "then I'm a fascist."

MK Orlev added that the passing of the law signified "a great day for the Knesset and the State of Israel. Zionism won. The Knesset has proven that it is not ready to commit suicide."