The unicameral national legislature of Israel or Knesset has announced up to 20 years of imprisonment for those who throw stones, the tactic mainly used by Palestinian protesters during demonstration, during protests.
The new legislation was overwhelmingly approved by 69 deputies and only 17 parliamentarians, the majority of whom were Muslims, opposed it.
“Tolerance toward terrorists ends today. A stone-thrower is a terrorist and only a fitting punishment can serve as a deterrent and just punishment,” the architect of the new legislation said.
According to the law, if prosecutors were unable to prove the harmful intents of the stone thrower then he/she will be given 10 years of imprisonment. And if the intentions of the stone thrower are proved harmful then he/she will be send for 20 years behind the bars.
The law further describes the imprisonment of up to 5 years to those obstructing police activities, by throwing stones, and target law enforcement vehicles.
However, the new legislation is only applicable within the official borders of Israel and not in the occupied territories.
