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Syria condemns Israel’s referendum law

Syria has condemned a new Israeli law that mandates a referendum ahead of any withdrawal from annexed East al-Quds (Jerusalem) or the Golan Heights.

Syria says Israel’s complicating the return of the Golan Heights to the country through a recent law does not lessen Damascus’ right to the territory.

On Monday, the Israeli parliament (Knesset) ratified a bill, conditioning the restoration of the occupied land to its Arab owners on the approval of Israeli parliamentarians or a referendum.

The Golan Heights and East al-Quds (Jerusalem), as well as the other territories, were occupied by Israel in 1967.

Reacting to the new legislation, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that “Syria totally rejects this Israeli measure which changes nothing to the fact that the Golan is Syrian territory and cannot be part of any negotiations,” AFP reported.

Pundits say the new law will kill any possibility for the resumption of Israel’s talks with the Palestinians and Damascus, which have been broken off due to Tel Aviv’s violations.

“This law is addressed to those who still have illusions concerning the current Israeli government and who believe that it seeks peace,” the ministry said.

The Palestinian Authority also sharply denounced the passage of the bill, saying “the Israeli leadership, yet again, is making a mockery of international law,” the Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported.

The ratification also attracted internal opposition with Haim Oron, the head of the left-wing opposition Meretz party, saying the move was meant to make sure that no talks would ever bear fruit.

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