The Knesset approved today (Wednesday), in a preliminary reading, two bills to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and over Ma’ale Adumim.
The bill by MK Avi Maoz (Noam party) to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria passed by a narrow margin—25 in favor and 24 against.
The bill by MK Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beitenu) to apply sovereignty over Ma’ale Adumim passed with a wider majority—32 in favor and 9 against.
Both proposals will now be forwarded to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further discussion.
MK Maoz said in the plenum:
“The Holy One, blessed be He, gave the Land of Israel to the people of Israel. Settlement is redemption and national revival. Applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria corrects a wrong that is long overdue to be fixed.”
Education Minister Yoav Kisch, presenting the government’s position, emphasized:
“I believe in sovereignty,”
but argued:
“This is not the way to achieve it—not through private opposition legislation, but in coordination with the United States and at the appropriate time.”
Meanwhile, the Religious Zionism party announced support for Maoz’s initiative, citing
“Israel’s lack of response to the tsunami of unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.”
It’s worth noting that about three months ago, the Knesset passed a declarative resolution calling for sovereignty in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley, with a majority of 71 MKs—but it was not a practical legislative step.
Regarding Ma’ale Adumim
Ma’ale Adumim was established around 48 years ago and has since grown into a city of around 40,000 residents. It’s located approximately 7 km east of Jerusalem, on the route to the Dead Sea—a strategic junction for securing the road to Jerusalem and connecting the Jordan Valley, Judean Desert, and Jerusalem. Ma’ale Adumim is in a region that has always been an inseparable part of the historic Land of Israel. There is broad national and international agreement on applying Israeli sovereignty there. It’s noted that this move would not significantly alter Israel’s demographic balance or harm the democratic character of the state.
Vilnagaon.org supports the legistlation proposed by Avi Maoz because “Words do Matter!” as explained in the post: Words do Matter!
Ma’ale Adumim is part of Judea and Samaria.