JERUSALEM – In a vote of 7 for and 3 against the Government passed a law today (May 11) that will limit the government’s ability to release convicted terrorists, even as part of future negotiations.
The law, submitted by MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi), states that a court that sentences a terrorist for life in prison can add to the verdict a clause which prohibits the President from pardoning him. Until the passing of this law the President would pardon terrorists prior to their release as part of the negotiations.
Ministers Saar, Ardan, Livnat, Shamir, Landver (Likud Beitinu), Orbach and Ariel (Bayit Yehudi) supported the bill; Livni (Hatnua), Perry and German (Yesh Atid) opposed it.
Minister of Housing Uri Ariel stated after the vote that: “The murderers and terrorists should know they will not be released, and this should serve as a substantial deterrent to terrorism.”
A Bayit Yehudi spokesman stated that the bill will resonate with all who plan to kill Israelis. “The time has come that Jewish blood cease to be a cheap commodity in the Middle East,” he stated.
The bill still requires the Knesset’s confirmation. Minister of Economy Bennet vowed to push the law forward. “The State of Israel has turned over a new leaf today in relation to the war on terror and its moral obligation to the terror victims. I wish to thank MK Shaked for her initiative. Murderers should die in prison and not party at home,” said Minister Bennet.
