Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 25, 2008 Iyyar 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:42 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Former MK Avigdor Yitzhaki and Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila (Tomer Appelbaum / BauBau) Bill would require Golan referendum By Shahar Ilan Tags: Referendum, Golan Heights  A special Knesset committee is currently preparing a bill that would require holding a referendum or elections before ceding any territory under Israeli sovereignty - including the Golan Heights. A majority of MKs support the bill, but the cabinet opposes it. Experts told the committee that the cost of a referendum would be about NIS 200 million, not including any financing for parties' campaigns for or against it. An existing law already mandates a referendum before ceding any territory under Israeli sovereignty, but it also states that this requirement will not apply until a Basic Law detailing the procedures for holding a referendum is passed. Since passing such a Basic Law seems to be nearly impossible in today's political constellation, the current bill eliminated the need to enact a Basic Law. Instead, it proposed that the requisite procedures be drafted by the Central Elections Commission. Advertisement But after legal experts agreed that a constitutional revolution such as instituting referenda - which have never before been used in Israel - ought to be enacted via legislation, and not through regulations promulgated by an administrative agency such as the CEC, the committee decided to include the procedural rules for holding a referendum in the bill itself. One proposed rule states that while in general, a referendum or elections will be required to concede sovereign territory, very small areas could be conceded by a vote of 80 Knesset members, a two-thirds majority. The new proposal was sponsored by two Kadima MKs: former coalition whip Avigdor Yitzhaki, who has since quit the Knesset, and Ruhama Avraham-Balila, who has since been named a cabinet minister. However, the bill is still advancing. Normally, it would have been sent to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. However, since the chairman of the committee, Menahem Ben-Sasson (Kadima), objected to the law, a joint committee comprised of members of both the Constitution and the House Committees was established. The joint panel is headed by House Committee Chair David Tal (Kadima), a strong opponent of withdrawing from the Golan. Due to the cabinet's opposition, Tal estimates his chances of passing the bill at only 50-50. Related articles: Poll: More Israelis object to Golan accord than to Jerusalem deal Olmert: Israel has made no promises to Syria News / Netanyahu: Olmert using Syria talks to divert attention from probe Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   The Golan ? The security insurance of Israel. 07:55  |  Jean Van Daem 23/05/08   2.   Only NIS 200 million? Should be NIS 1 billion 10:42  |  The Archives 23/05/08   3.   I am all in favor 11:50  |  Axel 23/05/08   4.   Good Idea 12:40  |  Natallie Durson 23/05/08   5.   The rest of the percents you will receive from our prayers 14:23  |  AliciaYasmeen 23/05/08   6.   #3 AXEL, the majority in Israel is SANE, thank G-D! 14:25  |  AliciaYasmeen 23/05/08   7.   Arabs and worthless pieces of paper 14:59  |  Mike 23/05/08   8.   An MK Sanity Check Would Be More Appropriate! 15:20  |  Alex 23/05/08   9.   I believe that Israels Military can overcome any.. 15:28  |  Stephen. 23/05/08   10.   Let the People Have a Voice? Who Heard of Such a Thing ! 15:34  |  Straight Talk 23/05/08   11.   referendum is the only democratic solution ellections are not 15:49  |  zionist forever 23/05/08   12.   So wait, now they get to vote to keep stolen land 16:28  |  Concerned individual 23/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 393 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 192 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 210 Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria Responses: 208 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 110 More Headlines 01:04 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation Israel talks 18:30 Ex-IDF chief: Golan Heights not indispensable 23:57 IDF strikes wound 4 Gaza militants in two incidents 01:06 Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein 15:51 UN: No. of roadblocks in W. Bank up 7 percent from last Sept. 20:53 Chelsea axes Grant after losing Champions League final to Red Devils 18:43 MK Sneh to announce split from Labor to form new party 01:16 Israeli warplanes almost shoot down Tony Blair's plane 03:38 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 14:56 Tourist in critical condition after jumping from Tiberias hospital 13:22 Teenager stabbed to death at high school in Galilee village 11:18 Egypt police shoot Sudanese migrant at Israel border Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved