Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) announced the implementation of new directives on Tuesday, requiring all government legislation also mention their applicability to Israeli citizens living in Judea and Samaria.
The new protocols are applicable to any government-backed bills starting from June 1st, though not private bills introduced by individual Knesset Members.
New laws won’t need to actually apply in Judea and Samaria, but the bills will be required to say if they do or don’t, and if they don’t apply, an explanation must be included as to why they do not.
The protocols the ministers have introduced will begin to normalize the legal system for Israeli citizens residing in Judea and Samaria.
Acting Chairman of the Committee, MK Yoav Ben Tzur told the Knesset’s House Committee that it would end the unequal treatment of 450,000 Israelis in Judea and Samaria, where they have all the obligations of citizens, but more limited rights.
Levin said it is time to move the governing authority away from the IDF’s Civil Administration and to the relevant government ministries. He called the current situation abusive.
Levin said they aren’t looking to implement a “creeping annexation” but rather to do justice for the residents.