New law strips convicted terrorists of national benefits
Interior Ministry given the authority to deny National Insurance Institute benefits to convicted terrorists and their families • MK David Rotem: We must put an end to this "absurd" situation.
Edna Adato
The Ministerial Committee on Legislation approved a new law on Sunday stripping convicted terrorists, as well as their family members, of benefits paid by the state, including insurance, pensions and welfare.
The law, proposed by MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beitenu) and MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beitenu), gives the Interior Ministry the authority to deny National Insurance Institute benefits to convicted terrorists and their families. The benefits include stipends as well as pension funds and state financial allowances. Relatives of the convicted would be eligible for a hearing in which they would be given the chance to prove they were not involved with the terrorists' activities.
"We must put and end to this absurd situation," Rotem, who currently serves as chairman of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, said. "Terrorists who contribute to and partake in attacks against Israeli citizens enjoy the same benefits as the people they hurt -- the state of Israel continues to wire money into their bank accounts and provide them with benefits."
"There are many cases in which Israeli citizens, including residents of east Jerusalem, were involved in terrorist activity," the bill's explanatory notes said. "They have blue [Israeli] ID cards, and thus were provided with immediate financial assistance from social security. The proposed clauses provide an appropriate punishment against those who deny Israel's right to exist and do all in their power to harm its citizens."
This is a bill that must be passed.
I don't like the idea that a terrorist family can appeal the loss of rights, but I think it must have this clause to have a chance of passing.
The Knesset is finally starting to purpose and even pass some good laws that protect Israel.
