The Knesset approved the second and third reading on Monday night of a bill initiated by the medical federation to provide stiffer penalties for those who are convicted of attacking doctors and other emergency service workers. The bill provides a five year sentence, compared to the three years on the books for attacking other public servants.

Dr. Leonid Idelman, chairman of the medical federation, expressed satisfaction at the bill's passing. He called it a statement by lawmakers that attacks on doctors won't be tolerated and are not an appropriate response to a person's feelings about the medical care they or others receive.