The Knesset House Committee on Tuesday approved a motion to accelerate the legislative process on a bill designed to protect home or estate owners who open fire on burglars.

If the bill is passed, those who open fire on thieves entering their propery will be considered as having acted in self-defense.

The motion was initiated by MK Yisrael Katz (Likud), a former agriculture minister, after Negev farmer Shai Dromi shot and killed an alleged sheep thief over a week ago.

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A court decided Monday that Dromi would not stand trial for murder, but for manslaughter, illegal possession of weapons and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Following the committee's approval, Katz is entitled to bring his proposal for a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum by Wednesday.

Katz said in response to the panel's decision that it shows significant government progress in restoring the personal security of Israel's citizens.