Israel sets three-year minimum prison term for stone throwers
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israel’s lawmakers have voted
to impose a minimum three-year jail sentence on stone throwers, the
Knesset website said, weeks after the premier vowed “war” on those who
pelt security forces with rocks.
The law was approved late Monday by 57 votes against 17 and comes as a
surge of unrest in Israel and the occupied West Bank has entered its
second month.
The new legislation was backed by the government of Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu who declared “war” in September on stone throwers.
Netanyahu pledged tougher penalties after a 65-year-old Israeli died
when he lost control of his car, with police saying the accident in east
Jerusalem was caused by Palestinian strone throwing.
Since then Palestinian protesters have stepped up attacks with stones
against Israeli security forces and civilians in the West Bank and in
Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.
The law adopted by the Knesset stipulates that judges would only be
able to issue suspended sentences to stone throwers in exceptional
circumstances.
It also adds rocks to the list of “harmful tools” in the country’s penal code.
It also adds rocks to the list of “harmful tools” in the country’s penal code.
Those convicted would have their social security benefits cut off while in jail, as would the parents of minors convicted.
Right-wing lawmaker Nissan Slomiansky who presented the law said the
measures were necessary to dissuade stone throwing which he described as
“attempted murder”.
“A minimum punishment is necessary to create a deterrent and uproot
the assumption that ‘it’s just a stone’,” said the MP who belongs to the
religious Jewish Home party.
Jamal Zahalka, an opposition MP for the Joint List, a coalition of
Arab-Israeli parties, denounced the law saying it would only add oil to
the fire.
“Fires cannot be put out with gas, and this law is throwing gas on a fire,” he said.
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