Bill proposal to require two-third MK majority for ceding Golan
At least 57 MKs have already voiced support of legislation that would require government to obtain Knesset majority of 80 representatives before withdrawal from Golan Heights in future peace deal with Syria
MK Eliahu Gabbay (National Union – NRP) announced on Wednesday he intends to spur legislation already in progress over a bill proposal which, if ratified, would require a two-third Knesset majority (80 MKs) to withdraw from the Golan Heights.
Gabbay said that 57 MKs have already signed the bill.
Among those who signed are members of the coalition and even Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's own party. Among them is Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi.
Gabbay said the bill would squash "Syria's fantasies." Olmert does not have the support of the public, he said, "nor does he have a majority in the Knesset to give away the Heights and these negotiations now are a mockery.
"The Golan is an inseparable part of the State of Israel, it holds the same status as Tel Aviv or any other city," he said.
Meanwhile on Wednesday evening, the Golan Residents' Committee called an emergency sessions following today's announcement that Israel intends to make concessions in future negotiations with Syria, in which they slammed the prime minister.
Golan Regional Council Chairman Eli Malka said at the commencement of the meeting that Golan residents "are depending on a significant majority amongst the public and in the Knesset that will act sanely and wisely and won't allow the prime minister, who is acting out of foreign considerations, to send
Israel into a tailspin. This move is bad for Israel, bad for the Americans, bad for the Arab world and bad for a future peace.
"The Golan is an asset to settlement and tourism, and Israeli law includes it. It is inconceivable that the prime minister, in the situation he finds himself in, can locate the ethical or political public force to give away this piece of land to the axis of evil – Iran, Syria, and Hizbullah – and thus to endanger the existence of Israel."
The committee released a brief statement following the meeting. "The prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is acting against the nation's interests and against the will of the people, and he is endangering the State of Israel, and is therefore unfit for office. The committee calls on political and public powers to join forces to protect the Golan."
