A controversial new anti-terrorism law passed the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which will grant the Israeli state far-reaching powers in cases of suspected “terrorism,” in a move a member of the Joint List called “draconian and unacceptable.”
According to Haaretz, the new Israeli law would apply only within Israel and includes a provision expanding the definition of "terrorist" organization membership to include “passive members” who are not actively involved in any group, but can now be indicted by Israeli authorities.
The law also includes a provision that gives the defense minister -- currently ultraright Avigdor Lieberman -- the power to confiscate property of alleged members of "terrorist" organizations without getting approval by Israeli courts, Haaretz reported.
All of the Knesset parties voted in favor of the law, with the exception of the left-wing Meretz party and the Joint List.
Haaretz quoted Knesset and Joint List member Ahmad Tibi as saying that the bill was “draconian and unacceptable,” adding: “You can demolish houses, arrest people, deport people, kill them and shoot them when they’re on the ground bleeding… But you can’t suppress a nation’s desire to liberate itself from the occupation.”
