Report: Netanyahu backs advancement of bill calling for death penalty of terrorists
The bill wants to allow a simple majority among judges to suffice to punish terrorists with the death penalty.
By URI BOLLAGUpdated: NOVEMBER 5, 2018 09:24Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman, Chief of Staff Eizenkot and others at urgent security cabinet meeting, Aug 9 2018(photo credit: ARIEL HERMONI / DEFENSE MINISTRY)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly given his blessing to advance a bill that seeks the death penalty for terrorists.According to Israel's public broadcaster Kan, a Knesset committee will begin preliminary discussions on preparing the law for the first reading, after the heads of parties agreed on the advancement of the bill on Sunday.The bill, which was initiated by Yisrael Beyteinu, wants to allow a simple majority among judges to suffice to punish terrorists with the death penalty.Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett brought up the bill in the party heads meeting, requesting it be moved forward after telling Netanyahu there is no reason to hold it back.Just last week, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman accused Bayit Yehudi of intentionally holding up the bill for political reasons.Bennett and Liberman have been insulting each other publicaly for months, mainly because of disagreements about Israel's defense policy.Two weeks ago, the Likud rejected appeals from Yisrael Beteinu to reinstate the efforts to advance the law, which said that it was part of coalition agreements. Now, Netanyahu has green-lighted the bill, saying there is no reason to hold off with it.
