(JNi.media) The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on Monday discussed the anti-terrorism bill, specifically the level of proof that is needed in order file an indictment for incitement to terrorism and encouraging acts of terrorism.
According to the current law, publicizing support for terrorism, or calls for violence, can result in a five-year prison term if there is “a distinct possibility that it will lead to a terrorism attack or violence.” The bill, however, states that a direct call to commit an act of terrorism is in itself an offense punishable by five years in prison, regardless of whether there is a distinct possibility that it will lead to a terrorism attack or violence.
Committee Chairman MK Nissan Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi) asked Deputy Attorney General Raz Nizri whether the call “death to Arabs” will constitute an act of incitement to violence punishable by five years imprisonment. He requested that the law clearly state what constitutes incitement to violence, rather than have the Attorney General’s Office determine the matter.
In response, Nizri said that for every 100 complaints of incitement to violence, only one indictment is filed. “I do not believe in using indictments against words. I think the issue should be handled in the educational arena,” he said.
MK Osama Sa’adi (Joint Arab List) asked Nizri why he has met only with right-wing Jewish detainees and not with non-Jewish ones. Nizri said in response: “In the past, I have met with Palestinian security detainees. This is not the time or place to discuss the circumstances or the number of times I did it.”
MK Dov Khenin (Joint Arab List) accused the AG’s Office of foot-dragging and failing to take steps against extremist rabbis who incite to murder. Nizri said in response that “those who read the Makor Rishon newspaper believe there is excessive enforcement against rightists. Those who read Haaretz believe there is excessive enforcement against leftists. We have filed many indictments against rabbis, Qadis (judges in Muslim communities), right-wing activists and left-wing activists.”
MK Revital Swid (Zionist Camp) asked Nizri if the stabbing of a photo of a murdered Palestinian baby constitutes incitement to violence. Swid was referring to a video of a wedding which features right-wing extremists dancing with guns, knives and firebombs. One guest stabs a photo of Ali Dawabsheh, the toddler killed along with his parents in the Duma firebomb attack over the summer.
Nizri said an investigation has been launched, but the suspects have yet to present their version of the events. Some of the chants or actions may be considered incitement, he said.