Knesset approves bill to reduce chance of ceding part of Jerusalem to Palestinians

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed the “United Jerusalem Bill” which makes it necessary for at least 80 MKs to agree to future changes in the status of the holy city in any future deal with the Palestinians, Quds Press has reported. Prior to the approval of this bill, a simple majority of MKs — 61 — was necessary.

It is ironic that under the new regulation, this bill would not have been passed; only 64 MKs voted in favour, with 51 votin

“Just now, we ensured that Jerusalem will be united forever,” wrote Education Minister Naftali Bennett on Facebook. “We initiated the law that guards Jerusalem so that it cannot be divided without a huge majority of 80 MKs. The Mount of Olives, the Old City, the Temple Mount [Al-Aqsa Mosque] and the City of David [Silwan] will remain in our hands forever.”

Read: Netanyahu postpones Jerusalem bill so as ‘not to embarrass’ Trump

The far-right extremist claimed that this is Israel’s response to the “shameful” UN vote on Jerusalem. “There will be no more political manoeuvres that will… tear our capital apart.”

Israel’s Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Ze’ev Elkin, also hailed the approval of the bill. “I congratulate the Knesset on the approval by a large majority of the amendment to the Basic Law: Jerusalem, which strengthens the defensive wall against those on the left who may try to harm Israeli sovereignty in united Jerusalem in the future.”

Judaisation of Jerusalem – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]