The legislation would sentence convicted rock throwers to at least four years in jail.
By YONAH JEREMY BOBA Palestinian protester throws stones during clashes with Border Police in east Jerusalem(photo credit: REUTERS)
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked will introduce a bill on Sunday before the Ministerial Committee on Legislation to stiffen penalties on rock-throwers, including minors, and to fine parents of certain rock-throwing minors The measure is designed to “strike at the soft underbelly of terror,” she announced on Saturday night.The legislation, which has been the subject of much debated in the media in recent weeks as a wave of terrorism has swept over the country, involves setting minimum sentencing guidelines of a four-year prison sentence for judges who convict rock-throwing adults of a more dangerous rock-throwing crime, such as attacking a moving vehicle.For minors, it would freeze National Insurance Institute, education and other benefits to the parents of rock-throwing minors who are convicted and sent to prison, during the period the minor is in prison.The bill would also explicitly allow a compensatory fine above and beyond the frozen benefits on parents of minors who are sent to jail, whereas currently judges can either send a minor to jail or issue a fine, but not use both tools simultaneously.Already in July, the Knesset passed a law stiffening the maximum prison sentences for the more dangerous rock-throwing crimes, but minimum sentences were not set.