No convicted terrorist will have his sentence commuted by even an hour, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted Sunday in response to a report that the IDF was planning to establish a committee to evaluate early release requests from Palestinian terrorists sentenced to life in prison.
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday that the military's policy on parole for terrorists convicted in military courts was being aligned with the sentencing and parole regulations for terrorists convicted in civilian courts.
Several dozen convicted Palestinian terrorists are currently serving life sentences in Israeli prisons. Thus far, the policy of the IDF, which is responsible for trying and sentencing terrorists who commit attacks in Judea and Samaria, has been to reject any possibility of parole, unlike prisoners convicted in civilian courts, who are eligible for parole if they meet certain criteria.
According to Yedioth's website Ynet, the development came to light during a High Court hearing of a petition for parole submitted by a convicted terrorist who has been behind bars for 30 years.
In his petition, the man argued that because he had been convicted under the authority of the military, he was treated more harshly than terrorists convicted in civilian courts. In the past, the IDF has denied his numerous requests for parole.
The High Court rejected his petition, opting not to interfere in military policy.
The development was the subject of considerable discussion at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "absolutely objected" to the idea of early parole for terrorists.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett also opposed the idea of making convicted terrorists eligible for parole. Bennett said terrorists should "die in prison."
