Parent's to blame?
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg
New bill could broaden parental criminal liability
Attempted lynch in J'lem leads Knesset to examine possibility of increasing parents' criminal liability for minors' criminal behavior
The recent attempted lynch
in Jerusalem which involved minors
has led the Knesset to initiate a move that would place criminal liability on the parents of minors whose children get mixed up in criminal activity.
The initiative broadens the scope of an existing law initiated by Labor and Welfare Committee Chairman Haim Katz (Likud) according to which parents of children who are caught in possession of sharp objects like knives or penknives could receive a one month prison sentence or a fine of up to NIS 21,000 ($5,200).
Related stories:
- Lynch suspects to remain in custody
- Jerusalem lynch suspect: I was detained for no reason
- Jewish teen arrested in connection to Jerusalem 'lynch'
Now, in light of the brutal attempted lynch in Jerusalem last week, Katz has decided to seek Knesset support to broaden the bill so that criminal liability for violence or criminal acts carried out by minors be placed on the perpatrator's parents – including prosecution and sentencing.
According to Katz, the parents will be indicted if it is proven that they could have prevented the act had they supervised their children.
MKs will have to decide on the age issue: Will they be liable for all minors under the age of 18 or will 16 suffice.
Moreover they will have to determine exact definitions for the factors responsible for examining whether the parents were neglectful of their role or whether they fulfilled it suitably and whether they are liable for their children's criminal activity.
"It is inconceivable that Israel's streets become dangerous simply because the parents remain unaware of their children's actions," said Katz. "In light of the awful incident in Jerusalem, we must implement a comprehensive and uncompromising constitutional step in order to defeat the violent trend."
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
