A new bill - aimed at tackling the worsening security situation in Jerusalem - proposes to punish parents for their children's actions. Israel will cut the monthly child benefit stipend to parents whose children are convicted of an offense for nationalistic reasons.
A similar law is already in place whereby the court may reduce the Social Security benefit payments of a person convicted of acts against national security.
This bill would apply the same policy, except this time in relation to the monthly child allowance paid to parents of minors.
The bill seeks to establish a mechanism for the reduction of allowances paid to parents of minors who are convicted of offenses connected with nationalism or in relation to a terrorist event.
The understanding behind the bill is that the convicted minor sought to harm the country that pays his parents a monthly allowance - the same country whose goal is to help and support his/her growth.
Submitted by MK Moti Yogev (Jewish Home), the bill suggests that the stipend be cut by 50% - from the moment of conviction until the end of the parents' period of eligibility.
"Eastern Jerusalem parents enjoy full citizenship rights; they will not give them up easily," said Yogev, who added, "A parent whose child violates the security of the state and endangers human life should not get benefits from that same state."
The proposal is gaining significant support among right-wing Knesset members. So far Knesset members David Rotem (Yisrael Beiteinu) Yariv Levin (Likud), Zvulun Kalfa (Jewish Home), Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home), Moshe Feiglin (Likud), Elazar Stern (Hatnua), Miri Regev (Likud) and Haim Katz (Likud), have joined Yogev's proposal.