Cabinet approves popular referendum basic law bill

The Israeli cabinet confirmed a basic law introducing a popular referendum to ratify a future peace accord with the Palestinians which entails withdrawal from territory. DEBKAfile: The ministers voted in a hurry Sunday before the draft bill was put before them. The bill will not come up for final vote before the Knesset's summer recess. The cabinet unanimously confirmed the appointment of Ron Dermer as next Israeli ambassador to Washington.