AG considering testifying against state over outpost law in High Court

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is considering testifying against the State in the High Court of Justice over the controversial legislation passed yesterday to legalize West Bank settlement outposts, Channel 2 news reports.

Mandelblit has repeatedly said that he won’t be able to defend the law before the court, warning that it marks the first time Israeli legislation explicitly affirms government support for wildcat settlements, and would openly curtail property rights of Palestinians in the West Bank in a way that contravenes the protections granted to occupied populations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The law, which passed with a majority of 60 to 52, allows Israel to compensate Palestinians whose land has been taken over by settlers, instead of removing the outposts.

Several anti-settlement groups have announced their intention to petition the High Court against the new law.