Gov’t approves ‘Schalit law’

Bill denies visitation rights to Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails.

gilad schalit 248 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
gilad schalit 248 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A bill that calls for severely limiting the visitation rights of Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails was approved Sunday by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation.
Under the proposed law, colloquially referred to as the “Schalit Law," the conditions under which Hamas prisoners are held will be made more stringent - they will be denied all visits except by legal counsel and representatives of the International Red Cross.
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The ministers said they would support the bill on the condition that they be consulted before it goes to a second reading at the Knesset, in conjunction with the Justice and Internal Security ministries.
The bill was proposed by MKs Yariv Levin and Danny Danon (Likud), Moshe Matalon (Israel Beiteinu) and Yoel Hasson (Kadima), supported by others.
Danon said that the legislation would deliver a clear message to Hamas leadership that their "VIP treatment" in Israeli prisons was coming to an end.
The proposal will come up for an initial vote on Wednesday.