Israeli law draft to prevent return of occupied lands passes first vote

The Israeli Knesset ratified the first reading of a draft law that would require an absolute majority in votes on any withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories held by Israel including the Syrian Golan Heights and East Jerusalem.

The law, which passed an earlier reading in July, would require the Israeli government to put any such withdrawal to a public referendum and Knesset vote before any withdrawal from an area under Israeli law.

It has also ratified a draft for dissolving the Knesset and moving forward with general elections in Israel.

The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu has refused since it assumed power in 1996 to resume peace negotiations with Syria from the point at which they broke off.