Using his Facebook page to get the message out, Yisrael Beitenu opposition party leader Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday 25 Tammuz calls on ministers to support a bill calling for the death penalty for convicted terrorists.

The bill was on the agenda of the Ministerial Law Committee for Sunday 25 Tammuz, presented by party MK Sharon Gal.

Lieberman writes on his page “I call on all ministers who serve on the committee – from Likud, Kulanu, Bayit Yehudi and Shas to support the bill to send a clear message to terrorists that the ‘camp program in prison’ has come to an end; the studies, academic degrees and the other perks given to them. If the bill passed the terrorists will also be aware that their punishment will be immediate and final, and there will be no hope of future release in one deal or another”.

“Only the death penalty will serve as a true deterrent for those who rise to kill us. I praise Ministers Ayelet Shaked, Uri Ariel, Danny Danon and Ofir Akunis, who already expressed support for the bill and ask every one of you to speak with the other ministers who serve on the committee; Yariv Levine, Moshe Kahlon, Avi Gabbai, David Azoulai, Gila Gamliel, Ze’ev Elkin and Yuval Steinitz to persuade them to back the bill”.

Prime Minister Netanyahu became aware that a number of cabinet ministers, some from his party, have already expressed support for the bill. He has called for forming a committee to probe the matter. MK Gal views the move as nothing more than an effort to bury the bill, announcing that despite the formation of the committee he is not withdrawing the bill from the committee’s agenda. Gal adds the current administration is not nationalist and is not doing what it should to halt Hamas terror originating in Gaza.

UPDATE: The committee decided to push off discussion on the bill in light of the prime minister’s announcement of the formation of the special committee.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)