Law Would Allow Jail for Terrorists Under 14

The Ministerial Law Committee on Sunday will discuss a bill that will expand punishments for terrorists under 14 years of age. Under the current law, terrorists under age 14 who attack Israelis cannot be locked up in jail. Instead, they are sent to juvenile detention facilities, and are subject to trial in juvenile court and family court.

The new law will expand the power of courts to place terrorists 13 and 14 years of age in lockups until they go to trial, and to treat them as adults under certain circumstances. The law was prompted by the recent rash of terror attacks in which young Arabs took knives and other weapons to attack Israelis.

Overnight Motzoei Shabbos, security officials said they had arrested five wanted security suspects in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned on their activities by security forces.