Knesset Passes Judea and Samaria Sovereignty Bill In Preliminary Reading

In a razor-thin vote that exposed deep divisions within the coalition, the Knesset on Wednesday approved a bill in its preliminary reading to extend Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The legislation, introduced by Noam Party Chairman MK Avi Maoz, passed 25 to 24, with a single-vote margin determining the outcome.

The Likud Party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was largely absent from the chamber during the vote, and most of its members either abstained or stayed away. MK Yuli Edelstein broke ranks and voted in favor despite clear instructions from Netanyahu to oppose the measure. The Likud leadership later confirmed that disciplinary action will be taken against Edelstein for defying party directives.

Supporting votes also came from United Torah Judaism members Yitzchak Goldknopf, Yisrael Eichler, and Yaakov Tesler, while lawmakers from Shas and the Blue and White Party chose not to participate in the session. Their absence further underscored the uneasy balance within the coalition over the contentious issue of sovereignty in the territories.

Maoz, in his remarks before the vote, framed the bill as a moral and national imperative. “Settlement in the Land of Israel is our connection to ourselves as a people,” he declared. “We call for the immediate application of Israeli sovereignty and law over Judea and Samaria. Since the government has hesitated, it is our duty as Knesset members to act – I call on all of you to vote for my bill.”

Soon after, the Knesset also passed a separate motion by Yisrael Beytenu Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman, which seeks to apply Israeli sovereignty over Maale Adumim. That proposal was approved by a far more comfortable 32-9 vote, suggesting broader support for annexation of the Jerusalem-area city even among skeptics of wider territorial application.

Explaining his decision to support the Maoz bill, Edelstein wrote, “I just voted in the Knesset plenum in favor of applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Especially at this time, Israeli sovereignty over all parts of our homeland is the order of the day. As someone who has fought for the Land of Israel throughout my years in this building, with a clear belief in the justice of our path, I call on all Zionist factions to vote in favor.”

The heated session also featured sharp criticism from Arab lawmakers. MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta’al) scoffed at the idea of annexation, reminding supporters of global opposition to such moves. “Even your admired leader, Trump, suddenly opposes annexation,” Tibi said. “There is no Riviera, no bonanza – there is a reality in which more than 150 countries recognize Palestine.”

The bill must now pass additional readings before becoming law, but the preliminary vote already marks a symbolic victory for right-wing lawmakers pushing for full Israeli jurisdiction over Judea and Samaria — and a new challenge for Netanyahu as he tries to keep his coalition intact.

{Matzav.com}