Palestine- Knesset advances tougher punishments for stone throwers

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) The Knesset on Monday approved the first reading of a bill that would increase minimum sentences for those convicted of throwing stones or Molotov cocktails and levy financial sanctions on minors who throw stones or firebombs and their parents.

The bill, proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was part of a series of measures approved by the security cabinet last month that are aimed at combating stone-throwing, including mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of throwing rocks and firebombs, and an easing of the rules governing police use of live fire in rock-throwing incidents.

Of the 120 members of Knesset, 42 voted in favor and 11 voted against the proposal. The bill will now head to committee and, after amendment, head back to parliament for final approval.

Netanyahu responded to the passing of the bill, saying that it "is part of a series of steps that the cabinet adopted as part of the fight against terrorism. There will be additional steps."