With its finger on the \"public pulse\" - at least as expressed by Israel\'s media - the government yesterday did an about-face on its decision of a week before, and decided to object to a proposed bill allowing Jewish-only towns in Israel. MK Rabbi Chaim Druckman had proposed the legislation stipulating that lands could be set aside for only-Jewish settlement. His proposal came in response to a Supreme Court ruling in April 2000 forcing the town of Katzir to allow an Arab family to buy a home there. Rabbi Druckman\'s proposal passed in the Cabinet last week by an overwhelming 17-2 margin.
Yesterday, however, Prime Minister Sharon noted that Cabinet Secretary Gideon Saar, who had been authorized to examine changes in the proposed law, had in fact found \"a doubt over whether there is actually a need for this legislation.\" Consequentially, a counter-proposal to refer it to a public committee - essentially, to bury the law - was passed yesterday by a similar 22-2 vote. The decision did not forget to mention that \"Jewish settlement in the land of Israel is an expression of the fulfillment of Zionism, and is essential for the protection of the State, its security and its borders.\"
Yesterday, however, Prime Minister Sharon noted that Cabinet Secretary Gideon Saar, who had been authorized to examine changes in the proposed law, had in fact found \"a doubt over whether there is actually a need for this legislation.\" Consequentially, a counter-proposal to refer it to a public committee - essentially, to bury the law - was passed yesterday by a similar 22-2 vote. The decision did not forget to mention that \"Jewish settlement in the land of Israel is an expression of the fulfillment of Zionism, and is essential for the protection of the State, its security and its borders.\"