[Israel]: The Knesset

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Meeting Place​

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Knesset Building, Jerusalem​

Office:	Officeholder:
Speaker of the House of Representatives	Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White)
Prime Minister	Naftali Bennett (The Jewish Home)
Leader of the Opposition	Yuli Edelstein (Likud)

Composition​

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Government (64): Yesh Atid (17) Blue and White (8) Labor (7) The Jewish Home (7) Yisrael Beiteinu (7) Meretz (6) New Hope (6) Joint List (6) Opposition (56): Likud (30) Shas (9) United Torah Judaism (8) Religious Zionism (8) Ra'am (1)​

 

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The National Sovereignty and Governance Framework Act 2009

The National Sovereignty and Governance Framework Act 2009

Chapter I – Preliminary Provisions

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the The National Sovereignty and Governance Framework Act.

Section 2. Purpose

The purposes of this Act are:

1. To establish the policy of the State of Israel that the Palestinian Authority shall not be recognized as a sovereign state, sovereign government, or exclusive governing authority over the areas commonly referred to as the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and the Gaza Strip.
2. To define the legal consequences of such non-recognition under Israeli domestic law.
3. To provide a legal framework for the withdrawal of the State of Israel from the agreements commonly known as the Oslo Accords.
4. To preserve the ability of the Government of Israel to conduct necessary security, humanitarian, administrative, and technical coordination where required for the protection of Israeli citizens and civilian populations.

Section 3. Definitions

For the purposes of this Act:

1. "Palestinian Authority" means the governmental institutions, ministries, agencies, or successor entities established pursuant to the Oslo Accords or any related political arrangement.
2. "Oslo Accords" means the agreements, declarations, protocols, and related arrangements concluded between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization beginning in 1993, including subsequent agreements derived from that process.
3. "Public Authority" means any ministry, government department, statutory body, municipality, or institution exercising public authority under Israeli law.
4. "Recognition" means a formal legal act acknowledging sovereignty, statehood, governmental legitimacy, or exclusive territorial authority.
5. "Coordination" means practical cooperation relating to security, humanitarian affairs, infrastructure, public health, emergency services, or other matters of mutual necessity.

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Chapter II – Non-Recognition of the Palestinian Authority

Section 4. Principle of Non-Recognition

The State of Israel shall not recognize the Palestinian Authority as:

1. A sovereign state.
2. A sovereign government exercising lawful authority over the West Bank or Gaza Strip.
3. The exclusive representative authority of the Palestinian people for the purposes of Israeli domestic law.

Section 5. Legal Effect of Non-Recognition

1. No act, regulation, administrative decision, or official communication by a Public Authority shall be interpreted as granting recognition to the Palestinian Authority unless expressly authorized by a law enacted by the Knesset.
2. Participation in negotiations, communications, coordination mechanisms, or practical arrangements shall not constitute recognition.

Section 6. Official Government Language

Public Authorities shall ensure that official documents and communications are consistent with the legal position established by this Act and shall not imply recognition contrary to this Act.

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Chapter III – Government Coordination and National Interests

Section 7. Permitted Coordination

Nothing in this Act shall prevent the Government of Israel from authorizing engagement with Palestinian officials or institutions where such engagement is necessary for:

1. Protection of human life.
2. National security.
3. Counter-terrorism operations.
4. Humanitarian assistance.
5. Medical and public health matters.
6. Infrastructure and essential services.
7. Emergency response.
8. Other matters determined by the Government to be in the national interest.

Section 8. Non-Recognition Through Coordination

Any coordination conducted under Section 7:

1. Shall be considered an administrative or practical measure only.
2. Shall not establish diplomatic recognition.
3. Shall not grant sovereignty, governmental legitimacy, or territorial authority to the Palestinian Authority.

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Chapter IV – Withdrawal from the Oslo Accords

Section 9. Declaration of Withdrawal Policy

The Knesset declares that the agreements commonly known as the Oslo Accords shall no longer constitute the governing framework for relations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Section 10. Government Authority to Implement Withdrawal

1. The Government is authorized to take the necessary lawful measures to notify relevant parties of Israel's withdrawal from the Oslo Accords.
2. The Government shall determine the effective date of withdrawal and may establish transitional arrangements necessary to protect security, public order, and civilian welfare.

Section 11. Transitional Arrangements

Following withdrawal:

1. The Government may establish temporary administrative, security, humanitarian, and legal arrangements.
2. Such arrangements shall not be interpreted as recognition of the Palestinian Authority.
3. The Government may modify or replace mechanisms previously established under the Oslo Accords in accordance with Israeli law.

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Chapter V – Preservation of Other Agreements and Laws

Section 12. Preservation of Other Agreements

Except as expressly provided in Chapter IV regarding the Oslo Accords, nothing in this Act shall automatically terminate, suspend, or amend any other treaty, agreement, or international arrangement entered into by the State of Israel.

Section 13. Continuity of Domestic Law

1. The enactment of this Act shall not invalidate Israeli legislation, judicial decisions, regulations, or administrative actions unless expressly amended or repealed.
2. Any changes required as a result of this Act shall be implemented through the ordinary legislative process.

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Chapter VI – Parliamentary Oversight

Section 14. Government Reporting

The Government shall submit an annual report to the appropriate Knesset committee regarding:

1. Implementation of this Act.
2. Measures taken following withdrawal from the Oslo Accords.
3. Security, humanitarian, and administrative arrangements conducted under this Act.

Section 15. Review of the Act

The Knesset shall review the operation of this Act every five years and may amend, replace, or repeal its provisions.

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Chapter VII – Final Provisions

Section 16. Regulations

The Government may issue regulations necessary for implementing this Act, provided such regulations are consistent with its provisions.

Section 17. Interpretation

This Act shall be interpreted in accordance with the Basic Laws of the State of Israel and the express purposes stated herein.

Section 18. Entry into Force

This Act shall enter into force thirty days after publication on the Official Knesset website.