In a decision that could potentially hamper the Middle East peace process, the Israeli govt has endorsed a bill requiring a national referendum prior to any territorial concessions on occupied areas like Golan Heights and east Jerusalem.

The bill outlines how the referendum would be carried out and how the votes will be tallied, and does not actually address the actual requirement of holding a referendum, Justice Ministry sources said.

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved the draft with seven votes in favour to three against.

It must still pass three readings in the Knesset but political analysts in Jerusalem believe that with the government’s support, its passage into law was almost certain.

The legislation requiring a referendum has already been passed, but couldn’t have been implemented without the procedural legislation.

The committee, however, also decided that a special majority of 80 Knesset members could potentially override the referendum requirement, and approve a territorial withdrawal without referendum.

The decision coming a day after the Israeli cabinet approved a loyalty oath measure which would make it mandatory for every non-Jewish aspirant of an Israeli citizenship to swear allegiance to the “Jewish and democratic state” is being seen as an attempt by prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strengthen his nationalist credentials.

Left of the centre Labour party Chairman and Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, condemned the move saying that the development puts into question the government’s desire, and ability to lead the peace process.

“Israel’s government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at its helm, vowed to advance the peace process and therefore must do everything within its power to remove the obstacle placed today on the path to peace with this needless bill,” Barak said.

Lawmaker Nachman Shai of centrist Kadima party called the referendum law “a fatal blow to parliamentary democracy”.

“The cabinet is afraid of peace. In fact it’s afraid of its own shadow. It is hiding behind the public instead of leading the public. The referendum law is a fatal blow to parliamentary democracy,” Shai stressed.

The Knesset committee in July approved the bill requiring a referendum before withdrawing from the Golan Heights, which could be handed over to the Syrians under a future peace agreement.

The referendum law, that will have a bearing on the issue of Golan Heights and east Jerusalem, is being seen as a measure aimed at hindering territorial withdrawals, making it more difficult for the government to give up land concessions under future peace agreements.