The Knesset Constitution, Law & Justice Committee passed the bill of MK Anat Berko of the Likud in its first reading, according to which a 10-year sentence would be imposed on the theft of weapons or parts of it.

The proposal was made against the background of a broad phenomenon seen in the Tze’elim base and in the Arab sector, in which many weapons were stolen, but it was not possible to convict the suspects harshly, since the theft of weapons has not yet been recognized as a unique offense.

According to MK Berko, when the chief of staff took office, he was presented with data about the theft of about 400 rifles that would equip a whole infantry battalion.

“This is a bill that has broad consensus across the political spectrum, and the even the Arab list voted in favor of the law to put an end to the weapons used in crime by the Arab society,” she said.

At present, the bill is scheduled for a vote in Knesset on Wednesday,

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)