Last update - 00:00 19/02/2007
Government to support bill banning protests outside officials' homes
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
The Ministerial Committee on Legislation headed by Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann decided Monday that the government will support a bill banning demonstrations near the homes of public officials - including political leaders, senior civil servants, and members of the security forces.
The bill, which was authored by Likud MK Yuval Steinitz, states that "no protests of any kind will take place within 500 meters of the homes or residences of public officials."
It also applies to judges, foreign diplomats, as well as homes belonging to the officials' close relatives.
The bill was proposed in the Knesset roughly six months ago. "The bill is designed to prevent the application of pressure and terror against public figures through disturbing their private lives and those of their family."
The bill will allow protests to take place near the public figures' offices, as well as official residences.
Last week, the High Court of Justice rejected a petition against a police decision to prevent far-right activists from protesting outside GOC Central Command Yair Naveh's Givat Shmuel home.