Bill to legalize 66 outposts clears initial Knesset hurdle

Legislation that seeks to legalize 66 Israeli outposts built in the West Bank has passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset.

In a vote of 61-47, the legislative body advanced the proposal which will prevent those outposts from being demolished and ensures that they receive full government services.

The legislation known as Regulation Law 2 still has to pass three more readings, but with the Ministerial Committee of Legislation’s green-lighting of the bill on Sunday, coalition members are obliged to support it in all further readings in the Knesset.

The Attorney General’s Office has come out in vehement opposition of the legislation, saying it raises significant legal problems and could even lead to international repercussions.

“We are committed to the development of settlement and thus, with God’s help, our enemies will understand that terrorism will not weaken us, but rather will only strengthen us and our hold on the Land of Israel,” says Jewish Home MK Bezalel Smotrich in a tweet celebrating the vote.

— Jacob Magid