Israeli Lawmakers Approve Stop and Frisk Laws to Enhance Security Measures

On Tuesday, the Israeli parliament passed a law that expands police power. The new law allows policemen to hinder and frisk suspects without probable cause. 

In occupied Jerusalem, the parliament has approved a law on Tuesday that stretches police power in order for them to stop and frisk people. Those opposed to the new law say that this will allow the police force to racially profile minorities and Arabs in Israel.

Before the law was passed, Israeli police could only search people who are suspected of carrying weapons. The new law states that police can search virtually anyone in areas that are declared by commanders as areas for "hostile sabotage activity." The new law also states that the police can search people who might commit violent crime.

Gilad Erdan of the Likud party, Israel's internal security minister commented in favor of the new law.

"[it is] an important enhancement of the police's ability to more effectively battle terrorism and violence," said Erdan, in a post by ABC.

While some politicians think that the new law will benefit security measures, some are obviously against it, especially on how it can be perceived as racial profiling. Jamal Zahalka, an Israeli lawmaker, said that it was clear that the people affected by the new law will be "Arabs and people who look like Arabs."

According to a report by The Daily Star, at least 151 Palestinians have died from conflict fire since October 1. Israel claims that 106 of those killed were attackers, and 26 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks during the same period.

During the height of the attacks, Israel has already approved new measures to stop violence. Some of the approved steps allowed the police to set tighter security on points of friction.

Tags

Palestine, Israel, 'Stop and Frisk' Program, Israel stop and frisk

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