Israeli parties agree to work on passing bill that would keep Jerusalem united

PM Netanyahu’s Likud party and the Jewish Home party agreed to draft text for a bill that would require the consent of two thirds of Israel’s Knesset members to relinquish parts of Jerusalem in any peace agreement.

Officials in the Likud and Jewish Home parties were at loggerheads during a meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation over the proposed legislation, known as the “United Jerusalem” bill.

Netanyahu was said to have pulled the so-called “United Jerusalem” bill from this week’s agenda for the Ministerial Committee for Legislation.

Ministers from both parties were said to be at a stalemate over which of the two parties would take the lead in finalizing the bill’s details. Likud Ministers pushed for a Likud-based committee to take on the initiative, while Jewish Home insisted on having the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, chaired by Jewish Home member and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, do so.

Shortly after the meeting, Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett said Netanyahu pulled the bill from this week’s agenda.

“Five minutes ago, the prime minister vetoed the United Jerusalem bill,” Bennett said.

“Unfortunately, the prime minister has chosen to take the matter off the agenda, and has, therefore, blocked the legislative process,” he continued. “Jerusalem must be united through action, not with speeches.”

Likud accused the Jewish Home of violating the coalition’s procedural guidelines.

“(The Jewish Home) know that, according to the coalition agreements, any bill to amend Israel’s Basic Laws must have the unanimous support of all coalition partners, but they have chosen to forgo the consensus-building and deal with petty politics,” a Likud official said.

In the meantime, Israel is fighting against condemnations within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) regarding its control over Jerusalem.

By: World Israel News Staff