Israeli Parliament Approves 'United Jerusalem' Law

On Tuesday, January 2, the Israeli parliament approved the law known as 'United Jerusalem', which makes it more difficult for Palestine to achieve independence with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to Israeli media, the law was passed with 64 votes in favor, 51 against, and one abstention. The 'Jewish Home' party, led by Naftali Bennett, had submitted a bill on this matter to the Israeli parliament. This right-wing party, allied with Benjamin Netanyahu's government, opposes statehood for Palestinians and the return of occupied lands. According to the 'United Jerusalem' law, any future political decision regarding this city must be approved by 80 representatives (out of 120 members of the Israeli parliament). Given the multitude of political parties and groups in Israel that gain seats in each election, reaching the threshold of 80 votes for political decisions about ceding parts of Jerusalem to a future Palestinian government will be nearly impossible. A day before the law's approval, members of the central committee of the ruling Likud party also voted in favor of annexing large areas of the West Bank to Israeli territory and expanding Israeli settlements in these areas. All Likud ministers voted in favor of this measure, but Netanyahu deliberately did not attend this meeting. Meanwhile, a 'close source' to the Israeli Prime Minister told the Jerusalem Post that this vote 'is in no way binding for Netanyahu'. Palestinians and the international community emphasize that the West Bank and East Jerusalem are occupied territories that Israel must return for a Palestinian state to be established within the borders of 1967. The approval of the 'United Jerusalem' law and the Likud central committee's vote in favor of annexing Jewish settlements in the occupied territories to Israel, alongside new construction plans for Israelis in these lands, have been a series of decisions made by Israel following last month's statement from the U.S. President. Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the 'capital of Israel' on December 6, an action that sparked street protests from angry Palestinians. The United Nations General Assembly also effectively rejected the U.S. statement on December 21 with a vote from 128 member countries. Concurrently, under the orders of Riyad al-Maliki, the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Hossam Zomlot, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization's office, was summoned from Washington, indicating that the Palestinian Authority's decision to cut ties with the U.S. may be one step closer to realization. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, condemned Israel's recent actions, emphasizing that 'Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine, and no one can prevent Palestine's independence with Jerusalem as its capital.' According to Abbas, 'the U.S. can no longer be a mediator in the peace process,' and Palestinians will no longer 'accept any American plan.'