Update: February 29, 2012—The Outpost Bill, scheduled to be voted on in Knesset today, was pulled in response to overwhelming pressure from opposition MKs and civil society organized by OneVoice Israel. Tal Harris, executive director for OneVoice Israel, said this is a huge victory for supporters of the two-state solution, but that vigilance against this type of bill is needed moving forward.
New York, February 28, 2012—OneVoice Israel is joining Israeli politicians, civil society organizations and regular citizens in voicing their opposition to the Outpost Bill, being brought before Knesset on Wednesday.
This past August, the Israeli Supreme Court decided in a landmark ruling to forcibly dismantle the illegal Migron outpost, turning the tide, many hoped, on the governments policy toward illegal outposts. Tomorrow, though, opponents of the continued expansion of illegal outposts face an even greater challenge as the Outpost Bill, supported by MK Zevulun Orlev (Likud), proposes to transform outposts that have existed for over four years into permanent settlements. The bill, if passed, would prohibit the eviction and demolition of such outposts built on privately held Palestinian land.
These outposts present a growing threat to the efficacy of the peace process and the potential of the two-state solution. OneVoice Israel, in response to this threat, has set up an e-mail, Facebook and Twitter campaign to marshal popular opposition to the bill.
"We've been working on getting members of Knesset who are uncertain of how they will vote tomorrow – or are unaware that there even is a vote tomorrow – to come out and vote the right way, to oppose the legalization of illegal outposts. The entire Kadima party has vowed to oppose it; same with the Labor Party, Meretz and the Arab parties. Several Likud ministers, including Dan Meridor and Benny Begin will also oppose the bill," said Tal Harris, executive director of OneVoice Israel. "Things look pretty good, but we'll save the bottle of champagne for tomorrow when the votes are counted."
You can join OneVoice Israel in opposing the outposts – and the bi-national state they are pushing Israel toward – by following them on Twitter @OneVoiceIsrael and posting to #notooutposts.
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