By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Knesset (parliament) on Tuesday approved in the first reading a controversial bill that would ban Palestinians from claiming compensation for harm suffered in Israel’s anti-terror military operations, local daily Ha’aretz reported.
Two more readings need to be passed before the second so-called “Intifada Law” would become effective, which is aimed to exempt Israel from liability for damage caused by its troops in what is termed enemy territory.
With such an immunity law, “Israel will not be the only country in the world that serves as an ATM funding terror against its citizens,” said lawmaker Gideon Saar who supports the bill initiated by Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann.
“There is no (other) country in the world that compensates the other side in an armed conflict,” echoed Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, who served as justice minister when the first Intifada Law was formulated, which the Knesset passed in 2005 while the Supreme Court overturned in 2006 amid criticism from international rights organizations.
“This is a foolish and unnecessary law,” said lawmaker Yossi Beilin, who opposes the bill with many others. “It’s a shame, and a stain upon our law books. It will cause such heavy damage.”