Release of terrorists
Release of terroristsFlash 90

The Knesset approved in its first reading, by a majority of 57 to 17, the bill for the prevention of conditional release and reduction of a third of terrorists’ sentences submitted by MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu).

According to the bill, the Parole Board will not be authorized to conditionally release under the provisions of the Conditional Release from Prison Law, 2001, anyone convicted of murder or attempted murder in a terrorist act under the Anti-Terrorism Law, 2016.

The explanation of the bill reads: "The terror wave that began in September 2015 and still continues requires increased deterrence vis-à-vis terrorist operatives. There is no doubt that not allowing the reduction of the punishment would be a more significant and effective deterrent than the current situation in which accessories to terror and terrorists who murdered Jews could be released from prison without having served the time imposed upon them in its entirety. Therefore, it is proposed that those convicted of terrorism and security offenses not be released on probation and not be entitled to a reduction of a third of their imprisonment."

MK Forer said following the approval of the bill that "A war on terror is being waged on all fronts, and the State of Israel has been struggling for a long time in this difficult struggle. Unfortunately, more than once we discover that at the end of the day, the scoundrels who went to kill Israelis just because they are Israelis find themselves enjoying various benefits in Israeli prison, but it is important to remember that terrorists are not subject to rehabilitation and therefore should not be given excessive rights, and certainly their sentences should not be shortened.”

It should be noted that the bill includes security prisoners accused of attempted murder and murder under the Anti-Terrorism Law and the denial of any possibility of early release for good behavior or a one-third reduction.