Israel Approves Jailing 'terrorists' From Age 12
Faizan Hashmi Published August 03, 2016 | 10:10 PM
JERUSALEM, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd August, 2016) - Israeli lawmakers have approved jailing children as young as 12 convicted of "terrorist offences" following repeated attacks by young Palestinians, parliament said on Wednesday. "The 'Youth Bill,' which will allow the authorities to imprison a minor convicted of serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder or manslaughter even if he or she is under the age of 14, passed its second and third readings...
Tuesday night," an English-language statement said. It added that the seriousness of attacks in recent months "demands a more aggressive approach, including toward minors." The statement quoted Anat Berko, a lawmaker from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party and the bill's sponsor, as saying "to those who are murdered with a knife in the heart it does not matter if the child is 12 or 15." Violence in the Palestinian territories and Israel since October has killed at least 219 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count. Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities. Many of the assailants were young people, including teenagers.
Other youths have been shot dead during protests and clashes with security forces. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked gave the bill full backing when it came before a ministerial committee last year. "Youths, such as Ahmed Manasra, who engage in terror and seek the death of Jewish civilians will not be shown mercy by the law," media quoted her as saying.
Manasra, a 14-year-old Palestinian, was convicted in May of the attempted murder of two Israelis in a knife attack last October.
He was 13 when he carried out the attack. His sentencing hearings will begin on September 22. Along with a 15-year-old cousin he stabbed and seriously wounded a 20-year-old and a 12-year-old boy in the Jewish settlement neighbourhood of Pisgat Zeev in annexed east Jerusalem. The cousin was shot dead by security forces, while Manasra was hit by a car as they fled. Manasra, an east Jerusalem resident, was the youngest Palestinian to be convicted by an Israeli civilian court in the current round of violence.
Israeli rights group B'Tselem criticised the bill and Israel's treatment of Palestinian youths. "Rather than sending them to prison, Israel would be better off sending them to school where they could grow up in dignity and freedom not under occupation," it said in a statement Wednesday. "Imprisoning such young minors denies them the chance of a better future." Military law, applied to Palestinian residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, already allows imprisonment of 12-year-olds. A 12-year-old Palestinian girl from the West Bank, convicted of attempted murder by a military court as part of a plea bargain and sentenced to four months, was released from prison in April.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Dubai Mum Becomes the First Ever Pakistani Woman to Climb 11 of the 14 Highest M ..
Over 37% Tobacco tax increase suggested to save lives, boost revenue
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’ ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
More Stories From World
-
Football: Italian Serie A table
2 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Madrid Open result
2 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A results - collated
2 hours ago -
Bodies in Mexico presumed to be missing surfers have bullet wounds to head
2 hours ago -
Rublev battles past Auger-Aliassime to claim Madrid Open title
2 hours ago -
Cesar Luis Menotti, football romantic who led Argentina to first World Cup
2 hours ago
-
Football: German Bundesliga table
3 hours ago -
Former Argentina World Cup winning coach Menotti dead at 85 - federation
3 hours ago -
Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 48 games with win at Frankfurt
3 hours ago -
Rejuvenated Liverpool dent Tottenham's Champions League dreams
3 hours ago -
Furious Moyes blasts West Ham flops after Chelsea run riot
3 hours ago -
Teenager turns self in after attack on German politician
3 hours ago