Bill to jail Israelis who illegally employ Palestinians advances

The Knesset’s Internal Affairs Committee on Monday approved for second and third reading an amendment that will significantly increase fines and prison sentences for those who transport, accommodate or employ illegal Palestinian laborers.

The bill, advanced by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, comes after several fatal terror attacks carried out by Palestinians who were residing in Israel illegally.

Police have been conducting sweeps of illegal residents over recent days.

The committee’s debate, originally scheduled for the end of March, was brought forward because of the urgency of the issue, Army Radio reported.

Erdan’s amendment provides for penalties ranging from up to two years’ imprisonment and/or fines ranging from NIS 5,000 to NIS 75,000 ($1,290-$19,340) for individuals employing or providing accommodation to an illegal resident just once, with fines of up to NIS 226,000 ($58,265) and/or prison terms of up to four years for those doing so for more than two consecutive days.

It also widens the definition of “employer” to include any person or body that employs or facilitates the stay of illegal residents indirectly, such as contracting companies employing subsidiary companies which in turn, employ illegal laborers.

Corporations that subcontract labor will have to set up their own supervisory mechanisms to ensure that all workers have the right papers. Those caught subcontracting illegal workers on an ongoing basis will face fines of up to NIS 452,000 ($116,530).

For the first time, police will be able to close for 30 days building sites, restaurants and any other businesses found to be employing illegal residents, and the courts will be able to extend such closures.

The courts will also be given the powers to cancel a corporation’s business license and building permits.

“The bill which advanced today will give the police the necessary tools for the war on illegal residents,” said Erdan, adding that it sent “a clear message, according to which helping an illegal resident isn’t economically worthwhile and can be expected to result in a serious and heavy punishment.”

Some 50,000 Palestinians are estimated to be working or living in Israel without permits.

In September 2013, 20-year-old soldier Tomer Hazan was lured to the West Bank and murdered there by a Palestinian acquaintance, Nidal Amar. Amar worked illegally at an Israeli restaurant in Bat Yam where Hazan also worked part-time. That November, IDF soldier Eden Atias was stabbed to death on an Afula bus by a Palestinian youth from Jenin, Hussein Sharif Rawarda. Six suspects were arrested and indicted for illegally employing, assisting and hosting the accused killer. A month later, a bomb that exploded on a Bat Yam bus was found to have been placed by a cell coordinated by a Palestinian residing in Israel illegally.

In the ongoing terror upsurge that began last fall, numerous attacks have been carried out by Palestinians who were in Israel illegally.