Proposed Israeli Law to Imprison 12-Year-Olds for Terrorism
By Stephen Lendman
– Introduced by Arab-hating justice minister Ayelet (“little snakes”)
Shaked, it’s intended solely for Palestinian children. Israeli courts
wouldn’t tolerate sending young Jewish ones to prison.
Palestinians are systematically abused. Guilt is automatic when
charged, children treated like adults. Current Israeli law prohibits
imprisoning children under age 14.
Shaked wants the threshold lowered to 12 if convicted of
“nationalistic-motivated” violent acts, prosecutors able to use this
charge against any Palestinian they want imprisoned for any reason.
Innocence is no defense. Israel calls legitimate Palestinian
resistance against state-sponsored ruthlessness “terrorism” or
“incitement to violence.”
Shaked’s spokesman said “terrorism does not have an age, and today there are no punishments matching the cruel reality we face.”
“In order to produce a deterrent and to change the reality we must
make some required changes. (The measure) gives minors the special
protection they need, while giving a serious response to terrorists who
think that the courts and justice will not reach them.”
The Knesset’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the
bill. Plenary session debate will follow. Racist fascists dominating
Israel’s parliament assure near certain passage, possibly in amended
form.
The proposed measure affects Palestinian children in Occupied East Jerusalem, as well as others living elsewhere in the country.
Israeli military courts already try and imprison Occupied
Palestinians young as 12. Racist Likud MK Anat Berko unjustifiably
claimed Palestinian adults “recruit minors while knowing that Israeli
law does not have a real response.”
Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCIP) attorney Brad
Parker said the proposed measure “is an apparent response to criminal
attacks that have allegedly been carried out by young Palestinians and
is a clear attempt to criminalize and punish the alleged attackers” most
often without just cause.
The bill “prioritize(s) the criminalization and punishment of children in complete disregard for international law.”
