The Knesset may vote next Wednesday on a bill for legalizing disputed outposts in Judea and Samaria. MK Zevulun Orlev (Jewish Home) said Thursday that he has decided to place the bill up for a vote next week, in order to forestall the planned demolition of the Givat HaUlpana neighborhood in Beit El, and to save other outposts that are on the chopping block.

Orlev said his decision was motivated by reports that the prime minister is giving "positive consideration" to the idea of allowing his ministers to vote freely on the matter, and that many ministers have said they would support the law.

Orlev noted that the Coalition Management has, in the past, decided to grant coalition members freedom to vote according to their conscience on the bill. "Based on the count of ministers and MKs who support this law, there is a solid majority for passing it in the Knesset next Wednesday," Orlev said.

Attempts to avoid the demolition of Jewish communties through legislation highlight the competition between the Knesset and the Supreme Court over who is sovereign to make final decisions in contested issues. Israel´s courts have adopted an activist stance since the days of Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, arousing the ire of a large part of the Knesset, which sees the court´s behavior as political and undemocratic.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will convene a committee Friday to find a solution for Givat Haulpana, after the High Court rejected a government petition asking for an additional 90 days in which to explore the matter.

The threatened homes were built on land purchased by Beit El several years ago. However, the seller turned out not to be the real owner and the latter filed suit to get his land back. The court ruled in his favor and the government agreed, without argument, to destroy the houses. (IsraelNationalNews © 2012 05/10/12)