The Knesset Assembly has approved the initial reading for a bill adding the legal category of second-degree murder, as proposed by MK Nissan Slominski (Jewish Home).
The bill would split the category of murder into two levels, first- and second-degree. First-degree murder would involve killing someone with prior intention. Second-degree murder would occur when the attacker initially intends only to wound their victim, or if the attacker causes a death in the process of trying to escape another punishment.
In cases of second-degree murder, courts would be able to impose penalties of up to life in prison.