Israeli lawmakers passed a law on Monday that will permanently disqualify those convicted of grave terrorist offenses, as well as their family members, from receiving National Insurance Institute benefits.
The amendment to the National Insurance Law passed with the support of 38 Knesset members, while one lawmaker voted against.
Under the legislation, National Insurance benefits will be denied or revoked for individuals convicted of murder or attempted murder with terrorist intent, a “serious terrorist offense,” a treason offense or serious espionage, who have been sentenced to at least 10 years’ imprisonment.
In addition, income support allowances, which are paid under a separate law, will be permanently revoked from individuals who have been convicted in court of murder or attempted murder with terrorist intent.
Knesset member Ofir Katz (Likud), who sponsored the legislation, said: “Terrorists will no longer see a shekel from the State of Israel. We are rectifying a huge absurdity today.
“Terrorists receive money from us—from the State of Israel,” said Katz. “The first place they go after their release is the National Insurance Institute. This is not a mistake; it is lunacy that has spun out of control.
“When you’re an enemy, you won’t receive a budget from the state you are trying to ruin. In what other country has such a thing been heard of? This is outrageous and unacceptable, and today it ends,” he added.
The explanatory notes to the bill reads: “Given the terrorist threats faced by the State of Israel—including those that materialized in the events of Oct. 7, 2023, and the threats that are mounting in light of the release of security prisoners within a deal for release of Israeli hostages—the bill is intended to denounce terrorists by revoking their eligibility to receive benefits under the National Insurance and Income Support laws.”
The bill’s explanation notes that such benefits are paid “based on a concept of mutual responsibility between the citizens and residents of the State of Israel, which is harmed by the acts of terrorism.
“It is further intended to deter potential terrorists from involvement in acts of terrorism, and thereby to protect human lives and the security of the state’s citizens and residents,” according to the legislation’s notes.
Last year, it was revealed that nearly 30 Palestinian terrorists were receiving financial benefits from the National Insurance Institute.
Israel pays a total of 7.3 million shekels ($2 million) to 265 people in the Gaza Strip annually, mainly in disability payments for Palestinians who worked in the Jewish state and paid National Insurance premiums.
According to the report, which was cross-checked against databases of the Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate and other sources, at least 30 known Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists in Gaza, and in Judea and Samaria, are among those receiving benefits.
Some 7,000 Palestinian terrorists from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Fatah, in addition to unaffiliated “civilians,” infiltrated the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023. They murdered some 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 more into the enclave.