Jewish Home (Bayit Yehudi) MK Ayelet Shaked issued sharp criticism Sunday against three ministers who opposed her bill to prevent terrorists from being released prematurely.
"I want to thank the ministers who supported the bill," Shaked stated. "It is strange to me why [Justice Minister Tzipi] Livni, [Health Minister Ya'el] German and [Science and Technology Minister] Ya'akov Perry opposed it. They are allegedly against the release of terrorist murderers on the one hand, but not when it comes time to decide in court. Very strange."
Shaked, along with HaTnua MK David Tzur, drafted Sunday's bill to enforce life sentences on terrorists in December.
The bill changes one of the Basic Laws of Israel, which forms the basis for the formation and role of Israel's institutions, and the relations between the state's different ministries and authorities.
The Basic Law of the President of the State, passed in 1964, allows the President to pardon criminals - at least until now.
The new amendment would change this rule, preventing any convicted terrorist from being pardoned for his crimes under certain conditions. The amendment seeks to allow the judges of the court during trials for nationalist murders, terrorist activity or any other heinous crime, to negate at the time of sentencing the possibility of providing future amnesty.
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni already announced her opposition to the bill Friday, a move Economics Minister and Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett sharply criticized.
"Justice Minister Tzipi Livni announced that she will oppose the law because it will hurt the ability of future governments to maneuver," he stated. "Tzipi – That is the goal of this bill. To disconnect the release of terrorists from diplomatic issues, there is no connection between them."
Bennett later welcomed the news Sunday, noting that the law marks a new page in the history of Israel.
"Today, the State of Israel is sending a new message on the war on terror and her moral obligation to the bereaved families," he stated. "Special thanks to MK Ayelet Shaked who sponsored the bill. Killers should die in prison and not celebrate at home."