The Knesset on Wednesday 13 Sivan passed the No Parole bill in its preliminary reading. The bill sponsored by MK (Bayit Yehudi) Ayelet Shaked would empower the courts to sentence terrorists and persons convicted of premeditated murder to life in prison without a chance of parole or presidential pardon. The vote passed in a 36-20 vote.

If passed into law, the bill will amend a Basic Law. The bill intends to prevent future prisoner releases involving convicted terrorists imprisoned in Israel. The cabinet recently passed the bill in stormy session after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu succeeded it delaying it a week earlier. Bayit Yehudi ministers threatened if the bill is delayed again it may lead to a coalition crisis.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)