The Knesset gave its preliminary approval 45-30 to a bill that would legalize some 70 West Bank settler outposts and if given final approval would create tension with the United States.
It similarly gave preliminary approval 41-30 to legislation to bypass Supreme Court decisions.
A third bill received preliminary approval 42-29 to repeal the 2005 Disengagement. If given final passage it would allow for the reconstruction of the four northern Samaria settlements that were razed that summer.
Prior to the preliminary passage of the outpost bill, State Department spokesperson said, "We are deeply concerned about the potential ‘legalization’ of outposts that have long been deemed illegal under Israeli law."
The spokesperson added that, "it is critical that Israel refrain from unilateral steps that exacerbate tensions or take us further away from peace.
"This includes evictions, settlement activity and home demolitions, and certainly includes the legalization of Israeli outposts in the West Bank that have long been illegal even under Israeli law," the spokesperson said.
The legislation must undergo three readings before it can become law. Should Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid and Yamina Party head Naftali Bennett succeed in forming a coalition, it's unlikely that the legislation could move forward. Should the negotiations be protracted, it remains a possibility that the current Knesset which supports the initiative could fast track it.
The Knesset's dispersal would thwart any such process. The previous Knesset in its last days also gave preliminary approval 60-40 to the outpost bill.
Knesset speaker Yariv Levin and his deputies decided Monday morning to bring to the three hawkish bills to the Knesset for a vote.
"I am pleased to announce that my bills to regulate the building of young settlements and the law regarding the cancellation of the disengagement will be put to a vote in the plenum today," said Likud faction chairman MK Miki Zohar (Likud). "These are important issues that every government must promote for the success of the state. Bennett and [New Hope Party head Gideon] Sa'ar are going to miss a historic opportunity that will be remembered forever by depriving the state of a right-wing government."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz (Blue and White) appealed to the Prime Minister's Office to remove the bills from the agenda for today, and to postpone the discussion on them, in light of the current security situation. In his appeal, the defense minister said that responsible leadership must be shown at this time, and that any actions which could be interpreted as radical should be avoided.
Gantz's request was denied by MK Miki Zohar, and the vote is scheduled to go ahead as planned.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said Zohar's effort to pass the bills was "not serious" and when a new government without Likud would be formed, the legislative process of the bills would be stopped.
Sa'ar, who is expected to serve as justice minister in the next government, said that while his faction would vote for the bills on Monday, he would make sure when the new government is formed that the Supreme Court override bill would be changed and require a special majority to overturn legislation.
The outpost legislation set out a two year process by which the fledgling communities would be legalized and provides them with de facto authorization until final authorization is received.