Likud MK proposes bill to treat arsonists as terrorists

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) has proposed a bill proclaiming arsonists as terror activists. The bill comes in the wake of last week’s arson intifada, and aims to allow the Israeli government to punish arsonists the same way as terrorists.

Katz said, “We should act to the full extend of the law against arson terrorists and to send a message of warning.”

Likud MK Sharren Haskel said, “The wave of fires that has forced the evacuations of more than 75,000 citizens is an escalation, and we must treat it as such…We must use every possible legal means to stop ecological terrorism. The amendment to the bill will enable… to confiscate and demolish property belonging to arsonists….and to define them as terrorists.”

It should be noted that terrorists receive salaries from the Palestinian Authority for carrying out attacks on Jews. It is not clear if the PA would pay arsonists’ salaries if the Israeli government chose to treat them as terrorists.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said arsonists are terrorists, and promised to bring them to justice.

 

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