Internal Security Minister Amr Bar-Lev and Knesset Speaker MK Miki Levy agreed on a new outline, which will allow Knesset members to visit security prisoners (terrorists) in prison.
The outline will enter into force on August 1 for a year, during which its implementation will be examined for corrections and improvements.
Bar-Lev led with Knesset Speaker Levy the formulation of the outline, and the goal is on the one hand to allow the freedom of MKs from all factions of the House (as requested by the Knesset Speaker), and on the other hand to protect the security interests of the State of Israel.
In the background of the procedure that was drawn up was the Knesset committee's decision, on the recommendation of Minister Erdan from 2016, to prevent MKs from visiting security prisoners following the case of Bassel Getas, a former Knesset member from the joint list, who was convicted after being caught smuggling mobile phones and text messages to terrorists during his visit to Katziot prison. Since then, the visits almost completely stopped.
Minister Bar-Lev (archive), photo: Gideon Markovich
In the previous procedure that the state presented to the High Court, it was suggested that each faction appoint one representative to visit a security prisoner, but following the High Court, MK Levy and Minister Bar-Lev began negotiations to examine the correct schedule of visits. It was agreed that the minister, in coordination with the Speaker of the Knesset, would lead an The right of every MK to visit every security prisoner, and at the same time prevent security risks.
The Outline: Terms and Conditions
According to the outline, a request by any member of the Knesset to hold a meeting with a security prisoner will require prior coordination between the MK and the office of the Minister of Internal Security, which will forward the request to the office of the Commissioner of the Prison Service. Any security risk during the visit.
The Commissioner's decision will be given within five working days at the most, but he or the Minister of Internal Security will be entitled to postpone or prevent the meeting for reasons of national security, even after it has already been approved.
If and when the reason for cancellation expires, the commissioner will have to set a new date for the meeting.
Former MK Basel Gattas, in 2017, photo: Michel dot Kom
Possible reasons for preventing or rejecting the meeting between the member of the Knesset and the security prisoner: if there is a reasonable basis to suspect that the visit poses a danger to the security of the state, to public security, to the security of a particular person, to the security of the prison or in general to discipline and order in the prison.
Also, the commissioner may prevent a meeting if he suspects that the visit may help the activity or conduct of a terrorist organization, or if the visit will disrupt an investigation by the various authorities.
The outline that was agreed upon will allow the member of the Knesset to meet with a maximum of two security prisoners during each visit, but with each of them separately.
At the same time, if the visit is approved but there is a need to reduce the fear of any security harm, the commissioner will be entitled to place various restrictions in relation to the supervision of the visit.
"We will act against the outline"
Shay Glick, CEO of the "Betzalmo" organization, came out against the outline and told "Israel Hayom" that "this is an outrageous decision.
It is impossible for the families of the murdered and the citizens of Israel to fund elected officials who criticize, and some even openly support, the murderers of their loved ones.
We will work with all our might against this plan.
Terrorists should rot in prison, not receive visitors and compliments."
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