There is a majority in favor of halting visitations for Hamas terrorists imprisoned in Israel as a response to Hamas’ refusal to permit humanitarian representatives to see Gilad Shalit, who is now in his fourth year of captivity, presumably in Gaza.

The bill dubbed the Gilad Shalit Bill will be brought before the Ministerial Legislative Committee, where is appears at least 11 of the 19 members will vote to support a bill authored by Likud MK Danny Danon, seeking to prohibit visits to Hamas prisoners in Israel until Hamas reciprocates regarding Shalit. The committee members were scheduled to discuss the bill on Sunday, but it was delayed, apparently to permit ministers additional time to formulate an opinion on the matter.

Danon’s bill seeks to impose the new restriction on every Hamas terrorist in Israeli custody, to make them pay the bill for their affiliation with the terror organization that violates basic international law concerning humanitarian conditions for prisoners. The bill stipulates however that the prisoners’ attorneys may continue visiting them, a move included in the bill to avoid any conflict with international treaties signed by Israel. The bill also permits compliance with the clause that a representative of the International Red Cross may visit a prisoner once in three months. Shalit, now in his fourth year, has not seen an attorney or any representatives of any organizations.

Supporting the bill are Ministers Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beitenu), Sofer Landver (Yisrael Beitenu), Meshulam Nahari (Shas), Yaakov Margi (Shas), Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz (Bayit HaYehudi), Gilad Erdan (Likud), Moshe Kahlon (Likud), Yitzhak Aharonovitch (Yisrael Beitenu).

Danon fears that the bill may be toppled due to some objections, stemming primarily from people tied to negotiations to obtain Shalit’s release, insisting the bill could impair Israel’s position in the talks. Israel Prison Authority officials are expected to oppose the bill.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)