Israeli Ministers Approved Bill Prohibiting Pardon of Terrorists
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (Worthy News)– On Sunday, ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a bill that prohibits presidential pardons for terrorists convicted of murdering Israelis.
At the urging of Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu brought the bill to the cabinet for discussion this week.
The bill “puts an end to the ‘get out of jail free’ card for murderers, which exists only in Israel,” Bennett said.
“If Israel can’t stand by basic morality, which dictates that murderers should die in prison, then from now on there won’t be a choice,” Naftali added. “If this law existed earlier, then maybe many murderers would have understood that it doesn’t pay to kill Jews.”
The cabinet was meant to vote on the bill last Sunday. However, after consulting Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, who found legal issues with the wording of the bill, Netanyahu removed it from the agenda angering factions of his government.
“Netanyahu gave in at the last minute. In contrast with agreements, he canceled the vote on the bill and his decision will have ramifications on the coalition’s ability to function. We mustn’t forget: Netanyahu released more murderers while in office than any other prime minister. Every day that this law goes unpassed is a danger to Israeli citizens,” a senior coalition member told Ha’aretz last week.