Israeli High Court rejects petitions against Lebanon deal, signing expected later this week
Last week, Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s government approved not putting the agreement before a Knesset vote by a large majority, blaming the “irresponsible opposition”
Mandi Kogosowski
| 23/10/2022
London-based Energean's drill ship begins drilling at the Karish natural gas field offshore Israel in the east Mediterranean May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch
The Israeli High Court of Justice unanimously rejected this morning (Sunday) petitions against the maritime border deal with Lebanon, brokered by the US and approved by both Lebanese leadership and the Israeli government.
Israeli right-wing organizations “Kohelet Policy Forum” and “Lavi Organization” as well as far-right Member of Knesset Itamar Ben-Gvir filed the petitions, claiming that Israel’s current transitional government does not have the legitimacy to make such a major decision without holding a referendum, and/or having the entire Knesset vote on the deal.
Last week, Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s government approved not putting the agreement before a Knesset vote by a large majority. Several ministers referred to the current Netanyahu-led opposition as “irresponsible” and claimed that it would torpedo anything and everything put before it by the current government.
Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, agreed with the government and stated that it has the jurisdiction to approve and sign the deal, and that even though a Knesset vote would be preferable, it is not necessary in the current circumstances.
It is now estimated that the government will hold the final vote on the deal on Thursday and that the agreement will be signed shortly after, perhaps on the same day.
Last week, Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s government approved not putting the agreement before a Knesset vote by a large majority, blaming the “irresponsible opposition”
London-based Energean's drill ship begins drilling at the Karish natural gas field offshore Israel in the east Mediterranean May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch
The Israeli High Court of Justice unanimously rejected this morning (Sunday) petitions against the maritime border deal with Lebanon, brokered by the US and approved by both Lebanese leadership and the Israeli government.
Israeli right-wing organizations “Kohelet Policy Forum” and “Lavi Organization” as well as far-right Member of Knesset Itamar Ben-Gvir filed the petitions, claiming that Israel’s current transitional government does not have the legitimacy to make such a major decision without holding a referendum, and/or having the entire Knesset vote on the deal.
Last week, Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s government approved not putting the agreement before a Knesset vote by a large majority. Several ministers referred to the current Netanyahu-led opposition as “irresponsible” and claimed that it would torpedo anything and everything put before it by the current government.
Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, agreed with the government and stated that it has the jurisdiction to approve and sign the deal, and that even though a Knesset vote would be preferable, it is not necessary in the current circumstances.
It is now estimated that the government will hold the final vote on the deal on Thursday and that the agreement will be signed shortly after, perhaps on the same day.
