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Last update - 21:26 25/02/2008 Knesset okays mandatory jail sentence for violence against the elderly By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: mandatory sentence  The Knesset plenum on Monday approved an amendment to the penal law that calls for a mandatory jail sentence for anyone convicted of attacking the elderly. The amendment stipulates that if a judge wants to avoid handing down a prison sentence, he would have to submit a written justification. The amendment was approved in its second and third readings. The new law stems from a long line of initiatives aimed at cracking down on assailants that target the elderly. One of the foremost among these initiatives was one proposed by MK David Rotem (Yisrael Beiteinu) who suggested penalizing perpetrators with a mandatory jail term of ten years for assaulting an elderly person, and 20 years for causing egregious harm to an elderly person. Advertisement As a result of this initiative, a person who kills an elderly person could receive a lighter sentence than one who causes serious bodily harm. Eventually, the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice committee agreed on a more moderate proposal ? a mandatory jail sentence. The maximum penalty for causing harm to an elderly person was raised to five years from three years. The maximum penalty for causing egregious harm remains seven years. The chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, Menahem Ben-Sasson (Kadima), said that the violence against the elderly is a social disease, and that the committee is trying to put out a message that this subject mustn't be ignored. MK Rotem said that he was proud that the first law that he voted for was designed to protect the elderly. He added that he felt that the penalty was too moderate and comes too late. The past year has seen a series of high-profile attacks on elderly citizens of Israel, with many involving especially brutal acts of violence. Related articles: Burglar savagely beats, robs elderly Jerusalem woman Third suspect charged in brutal robbery of elderly Haifa woman 19-year-old charged with abusing Haifa resident during robbery Two men sentenced for killing elderly woman, robbing another Sentence hearing opens for man accused of torturing woman, 68 Bookmark to del.icio.us   Personalized workout Boutique gyms is the next big thing - for those who can pay. No to non-violence 'Human chain' against the blockade on gaza yields disappointing turnout.   1.   Hows this 22:55  |  Danite 25/02/08   2.   Does that apply to the old people the IDF terrorizes? 00:28  |  POP 26/02/08

Today Online Gaza protest of Israeli siege yields disappointing turnout Responses: 363 Bradley Burston: Palestine's doomsday weapon - non-violence - fails its test Responses: 137 Canadian Jew loses bid to have 'Jerusalem, Israel' in passport Responses: 88 Obama`s top adviser: Israel and Arabs must negotiate own peace Responses: 96 Akiva Eldar: AIPAC does not even bother to rally for two-state solution Responses: 48 Rosner's Domain "Reasonable people can agree or disagree on meeting Ahmadinejad" Clinton allies say: Obama bad for Israel (WTR) Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother More Headlines 03:10 U.K. diplomat: Iran nuclear work may have continued past 2003 03:08 Olmert aides: Demonstration in Gaza 'much ado about nothing' 03:14 2 IDF troops hurt while testing weapons seized from Hezbollah 02:13 Report: Widow of slain Hezbollah terrorist blames Syria for killing 01:39 Will Obama be supportive of an Israel controlled by a Likud government? 22:24 Police call beating outside former Jewish fraternity 'hate crime' 00:39 Kadima MKs adopt uniform stance against division of Jerusalem 21:18 Ramon: PM wants accord with West Bank settlers on unauthorized outposts 20:06 American tourist drowns in flash flood near Dead Sea 18:46 Woman, two children hurt in Qassam strike on Sderot 04:07 Australian soccer player to be disciplined for dressing as Hitler Previous Editions Select Day 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb

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