The Israeli Cabinet approved a measure that would require a public referendum or vote on any peace agreement that involves withdrawing from land Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.

The Cabinet approved the legislation, which will create a new Basic Law, July 28 at its regular weekly meeting.

The legislation was scheduled to be brought to a vote of the full Knesset July 30 for a first reading.

“It is important that every citizen have a direct vote on fateful decisions such as these that will determine the future of the state,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Cabinet before the vote.

The legislation refers only to land under Israel’s sovereign control, meaning a referendum will not have to be held to give areas of the West Bank to the Palestinians. Any peace deal that requires giving away parts of Jerusalem or the Golan Heights, or land swaps, will have to be put to a popular vote. — jta