The Knesset plenum on Sunday approved the second and third readings of the Balanced Handcuffing Law by Minister Ben-Gvir and the Otzma Yehudit faction. The bill was submitted by National Security Committee Chairman MK Zvika Fogel.
Coalition drops electronic handcuff (archive) bill | Knesset Channel
The important law, whose role is to protect against cases of domestic violence by means of electronic handcuffing on the striking party, which will warn against proximity to the injured party, was sharpened by Minister Ben-Gvir in order to achieve maximum result of protection against violence while preserving the basic right of freedom of movement and preventing false accusations.
According to the amended bill, the court will be able to order electronic handcuffing, after assessing the danger of the family member and if there is a previous conviction for a violent offense or alternatively an indictment or violation of a previous protection order. In addition, the law provides an exception according to which, in extreme cases, a judge is authorized to allow the electronic handcuffing immediately, and to order a dangerousness assessment within ten days.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The law was approved after in-depth professional discussions held by Minister Ben-Gvir in his ministry and the Knesset National Security Committee, headed by Committee Chairman MK Zvika Fogel, with the participation of law enforcement officials, welfare, relevant government ministries, and family organizations.
Not paying, but a step in the right direction
Director of Government Relations at the Women's Lobby, Tal Hochman, responded to the approval: "The road to full protection of women victims of violence in Israel is still long, but today we will take a step in the right direction. The law has undergone quite a few changes since it was first submitted in 2016 by MK Aida Touma-Suleiman, and it is not yet perfect. The wording passed today sets strict conditions for receiving the bracelet that oversees the protection order, and despite this, it is an amendment for hundreds of thousands of women who live in a reality of daily violence."
Knesset Channel
Former Chairman of the Public Security Committee and one of the leaders of electronic handcuffing legislation, MK Merav Ben-Ari (Yesh Atid), said: "The decision to pass the Electronic Handcuffing Law is an important decision, yet I have reservations about the law as it was passed today. It is important to note that the fact that electronic handcuffing will begin in the country and be launched is a very important decision – we have waited for this for many years."
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