Knesset passes law forbidding convicted terrorists from being released from prison early
The Knesset passed a law on Tuesday night that will prevent the early release of convicted terrorists serving sentences in prison.
The legislation, proposed by MKs Anat Berko (Likud) and Oded Forer (Yisrael Beiteinu), will deny terrorists the ability to be released after two-thirds of their sentences, as can occur with other prisoners who show remorse and demonstrate their rehabilitation.
The law was submitted following an exposé in the Yediot Ahronot newspaper, in which the Zionist organization Im Tirtzu exposed the plans of the Defense Ministry to reduce the sentences of terrorists by one-third for good behavior.
“A reduced sentence is a privilege that terrorists are not worthy of receiving,” said MK Berko. “Terrorists are proud of their actions and therefore must bear the full consequences. We won’t stop working for our citizens’ security. ”
MK Oded Forer said: “This is an important precedent in the fight against terror and the effort to increase deterrence. Now every terrorist knows that he has no hope of being released early.
“I am happy that moments before the Knesset is dissolved,” Forer continued, “we succeeded in doing justice to all those families who lost their loved ones in terrorist attacks.”
Im Tirtzu CEO, Matan Peleg, called the law “a victory for Justice and sanity.”
“It is a shame that we are in a situation in which a law is needed to prevent terrorists from receiving early parole,” said Peleg. “We need to continue promoting a strong deterrence package against terrorism that will prevent the next attack from occurring.” — From Im Tirzu
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Knesset approves export of medical marijuana from Israel
The Knesset has approved the export of medical cannabis allowing Israel to fully participate in the exploding cannabis industry world-wide.
Saul Kaye, CEO of iCAN: Israel-Cannabis issued the following statement:
“This is a long overdue but welcome development. iCAN has been diligently working together with Israeli regulators to further the growth of the cannabis industry with the goal of having Israel become the leading global export nation of medical cannabis. Israel, already the most advanced nation in cannabis R&D will now be able to produce and market cannabis and cannabis-based products that will help millions of people suffering from illnesses including cancer, MS, Parkinson’s, sleep disorders, epilepsy, and PTSD, to name just a few.Israel’s expertise in the field extends from cultivation and processing to research and development. …
“The law provides a budget that allows the Interior Ministry and specifically the Israeli Police, to monitor, track and control the production and delivery of cannabis for export, and ensure there is no risk of leakage to the local illegal drug market. iCAN, through its partner Theracann, has secured the technology that can power the police and Ministry of Health in Israel and provide complete transparency and tracking of every gram of cannabis both for export and the local market. The new law also specifies that any foreign investment of more than 5% in an Israeli cannabis company will require regulatory approval.” — From iCAN
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University of Haifa awards honorary doctorate to Yale President Peter Salovey
The University of Haifa has bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Yale University President Peter Salovey, PhD.
The honorary doctorate for Salovey comes in recognition of his groundbreaking research and scientific contributions in the field of psychology and more specifically, as a pioneer of the concept of emotional intelligence — a person’s ability to identify, evaluate, and manage their own feelings and the feelings of others — along with John D. Mayer. In an academic journal article in 1990, Salovey and Mayer were the first researchers to formally use and define the term emotional intelligence.
As the Ivy League school’s 23rd president and its Chris Argyris Professor of Psychology, Salovey has led the development of new programs and facilities across Yale’s schools and departments, including restructuring the leadership of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and opening two new residential colleges. He is advancing innovative teaching on campus; amplifying Yale’s partnerships in Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world; and enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurial opportunity for faculty and students.
Salovey, a descendant of the famed Soloveitchik rabbinic dynasty, urged students to commit themselves to tikkun olam — the Jewish value of repairing the world — in his commencement speech at Yale in 2015. He is known for his commitment to increasing access to a Yale education for students worldwide regardless of their financial background.
“Prof. Salovey’s outstanding leadership is a tremendous inspiration in the world of higher education, and we are grateful to him for his pioneering research, as well as for his strong ties with Israeli academia in general and University of Haifa in particular,” said University of Haifa President Prof. Ron Robin. — From the University of Haifa
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