Barak: Israel's enemies will use referendum law against us

[azurnoir]

Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Tuesday that a new law mandating a referendum prior to withdrawal from sovereign Israeli territory would likely be used by Israel's enemies as proof that it is averse to advancing the Middle East peace process.

Barak made his comments a day after the Knesset passed the bill by a vote of 65-33; the law will go into effect immediately.

"It's not a good law, certainly not at this point in time," Barak told regional council leaders in the Negev. "I am just not sure it is needed right now. Israel's enemies are likely to use it to claim that we are against peace and handcuffing ourselves to prevent any progress in the peace process."

"A Palestinian state is in Israel's clear interest," Barak added. "This won't do anybody any good. We must get pass the obstacle of settlement freeze, because is a weak point for Israel that cannot be explained to the world."

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Because the law only applies to sovereign Israeli territory, no referendum would be needed to withdraw from any part of the West Bank. However, a referendum would be required for a pullout from East Jerusalem or the Golan Heights, as both have been annexed by Israel. It would also be required if, under a future deal with the Palestinians, Israel ceded land within the pre-1967 lines in exchange for keeping the settlement blocs.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/barak-israel-s-enemies-will-use-referendum-law-against-us-1.326313