Coalition blocks latest bid for evacuation-compensation law

The governing coalition yesterday blocked a Knesset vote on legislation that would compensate West Bank settlers who live beyond the security fence and are willing to move into Israel proper. The proposed legislation is a major component of the Labor Party's platform.

The bill was proposed by so-called Labor rebels Ophir Pines-Paz and Yuli Tamir based on the initiative of former Knesset members Colette Avital and Avshalom Vilan. The Labor Party's chairman, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, has expressed support for the measure in the past.

Opposition to the bill came to a head on Sunday, however, when the Ministerial Committee for Legislation rejected it out of hand. Labor Party cabinet ministers Isaac Herzog and Shalom Simhon, who are on the committee, were not present for the debate, and in the absence of government support, the bill's supporters could not bring the measure to a vote in the full Knesset, as they had planned.

Not surprised

Pines-Paz and Tamir said they were not surprised by the defeat in committee, adding that the prospects for passage in the full Knesset were low.

Tamir said that "the fact that they prevented us from bringing the bill to a vote [in the full Knesset] merely attests to how even a minor matter like this is currently seen as impossible. This could have been a real indication of a willingness to begin the peace process."

Pines-Paz noted that "even according to the moderate right wing, there is no doubt that there won't be settlement blocs beyond the [security] fence." He added: "There are many settlers who are interested in leaving. Why not start now?"