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ROCKS CAN KILL: Israeli bill seeks to increase punishment for rock-throwing attacks

“This is an important bill, and everyone who considers themselves Zionist needs to support it.”

By World Israel News Staff

A new bill introduced by MK Keti Shitrit (Likud) last week seeks to increase punishment for rock-throwing attacks.

The bill aims to establish a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails and other harmful objects at vehicles with the intent to harm, and 10 years’ imprisonment if no intent to harm can be proven.

The bill is modeled after a law that already passed in 2015, which was drafted by then Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and was later completed by her successor, current Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked.

The law, which expired in 2018, was a temporary order lasting three years. Shitrit seeks to extend the law for another three years.

The bill also seeks to establish a minimum one-fifth sentence of the maximum penalty. Thus, under the bill, rock-throwers would receive a minimum sentence of four years’ imprisonment if intent to harm can be proven, and two years’ imprisonment if intent to harm cannot be proven.

The explanatory portion of the bill states: “Given the significant increase of rock and Molotov cocktail terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, it is hereby proposed to enact a temporary order that sets a minimum punishment for the perpetrators of one-fifth of the maximum penalty.”

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According to data published by the IDF, there were 5,532 rock-throwing attacks in 2021, an increase of 38% from 2020 when there were a recorded 4,002 attacks. Molotov cocktails were thrown 1,022 times in 2021 and 751 times in 2020, an increase of 36%.

According to a report published in August 2021 by the Zionist organizations Im Tirtzu and Lavi, 99% of the cases involving rocks and Molotov cocktails in 2019 and 2020 resulted in plea deals or a lenient sentences.

“Now is the time to test the coalition, specifically those who consider themselves right-wing, with action,” said Shitrit.”

“This is not only in Judea and Samaria. Rock-throwing has become a routine reality for bus drivers going to Eilat. This bill will put an end to light punishments and will create real deterrence.

“There is no coalition and opposition in this matter. Everyone needs to come together in order to save lives,” he stated.

Matan Peleg, CEO of Im Tirtzu, which worked with Shitrit on the issue, said: “Contrary to the claims of certain government ministers and radical NGOs funded by foreign governments, the most concerning phenomenon occurring now in Judea and Samaria is the significant increase of attempts to murder Jews.”

“Our soldiers are working night and day to catch the perpetrators, but once the IDF catches them they are let off with either a plea bargain or a lenient sentence, as if rock-throwing is a game and not an attempt at murder,” Peleg said. “This is an important bill, and everyone who considers themselves Zionist needs to support it.”

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The murder of Israeli toddler Adele Biton is just one example of the seriousness of rock-throwing attacks, often described by media as “stone-throwing.”

Biton sustained a critical head injury when Palestinian terrorists attacked her family’s car with rocks. Two years old at the time, she was critically injured in the head and died two years later, after spending many months in intensive care.

The murder of Israeli toddler Adele Biton is just one example of the seriousness of rock-throwing attacks, often described by media as “stone-throwing.”

Biton sustained a critical head injury when Palestinian terrorists attacked her family’s car with rocks. Two years old at the time, she was critically injured in the head and died two years later, after spending many months in intensive care.

The murder of Israeli toddler Adele Biton is just one example of the seriousness of rock-throwing attacks, often described by media as “stone-throwing.”

Biton sustained a critical head injury when Palestinian terrorists attacked her family’s car with rocks. Two years old at the time, she was critically injured in the head and died two years later, after spending many months in intensive care.