Government seeks to crack down on terrorism with new bill

Ministers debate legislation that would limit paroles, get tougher on providers of logistical support and charities that assist extremist groups

Legislators were set to review a wide-ranging anti-terrorism bill Monday that would significantly clamp down on individuals indirectly assisting Palestinian extremist groups, while establishing explicit penalties for convicted terror operatives.

The act, which widens the authority granted to security forces in dealing with Palestinian suspects, seeks to instate new laws and update existing regulations, some of which date back to the British mandate era before Israel’s establishment, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

One article, for example, would standardize jail sentences, doling out 25 years or more to an individual convicted of heading a terror organization, 15 years for those that serve in positions of authority or importance in such groups, and five years for regular or junior members.

In addition, the Justice Ministry’s parole board would be barred from requesting parole for those serving out life sentences on terror-related crimes, until such individuals have served at least 15 years. That article relates mostly to those convicted of terrorism in a civilian court, and may hinder the government’s ability to carry out future prisoner swaps with Palestinian groups.

After the debate in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, the bill would be brought before the Knesset for a preliminary reading, with the intention of signing it into law by the end of 2015.

If passed, it would be the most wide-ranging security-related bill in Israeli history, with 137 articles that crack down heavily on terror operatives and institutionalize punishments and jail sentences for those convicted of participating in, aiding and abetting registered terror groups.

“The bill will provide the justice and defense establishments with the tools necessary to cope with modern terrorism,” Raz Nizri, the deputy attorney general for legislation, said.

“Some of the articles are already in place under existing laws. We thought it would be right to amalgamate them all into one single bill. We’re also seeking to cancel 78 emergency regulations dating back to the Defense (Emergency) Regulations” of Mandatory Palestine.

The legislation would also criminalize identifying with a registered terror group, publishing terror-related materials, and praising groups in a way that could incite terror attacks.

Individuals or firms that offer services to terror groups would also be placed under the spotlight. According to one article, even a technician called in to repair computers belonging to a terror group could be prosecuted.

Likewise, the act cracks down on groups that passively assist terror — including third party “support” groups — such as charities that funnel monies to extremist organizations.