The bill submitted by the chairman of the coalition MK Ofir Katz and MK Gideon Sa'ar to increase the punishment against attacking medical staff - passed today (Monday) in a preliminary reading and will be advanced as quickly as possible.
Data collected by the Knesset's research center shows that between 2020-2021 there were approximately 2,000 cases of violence against medical staff each year, including physical assault, threats and damage to property.
According to the proposal, the maximum penalty for attacking medical staff during medical treatment will increase from 3 years in prison to 5 years and it will be classified as a "felony".
The Knesset Plenum.
Today,
Medical teams demand: "Enough with the violence against us" (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The original bill establishes a harsher penalty only when the assault is committed against an emergency worker and during life-saving treatment.
The amendment seeks to expand the aggravation, so that it will apply to any public employee who handles or plays a role in an emergency and rescue organization or an emergency room and not only to emergency workers.
Also, the aggravation will apply in a situation where the therapist provides any medical treatment and not just emergency treatment.
It is also proposed to state that a minimum sentence of three months in prison will apply to the perpetrators of this assault offense.
Saar and Katz (archive).
Collaboration, photo: Noam Moshkowitz/Knesset spokespersons
Sa'ar: "I welcome the decision of the Legislative Affairs Committee of Ministers to approve our bill to increase the punishment in cases of assault on medical staff. The violence against medical staff in hospitals has become a scourge. We are witnessing more and more cases of assault on doctors and medical staff. The proposal will allow severe and deterring punishment which will more adequately reflect the severity of this phenomenon."
Katz: "The medical teams get up every morning and stay awake every night to take care of our health and preserve our lives - they are the first on the front line. In recent years, they have fallen victim to a wave of severe and degrading attacks by violent criminals who lack morals and education. They have no tools to defend themselves, They are doctors, they came to save lives, not to be beaten. We, the members of the Knesset, are the ones who have to provide them with tools to work quietly, simply so that they can take care of us.
"Unfortunately, this proposal could have been passed a year and a half ago, but the previous government overturned it. I am happy that we finally have a coalition that works for Israeli society and that we are passing this important bill."
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us