The Knesset has passed into law a bill that revokes National Insurance benefits from convicted terrorists. The legislation, sponsored by Coalition Chair MK Ofir Katz, passed its second and third readings and is now official. Under the new law, anyone convicted of murder or attempted murder under terror-related circumstances will be denied all benefits under the National Insurance Law. The same applies to individuals convicted of serious terrorism offenses and sentenced to ten years or more in prison.
Ending a Moral Absurdity
Until now, terrorists who were convicted and held Israeli citizenship or residency were still entitled to a wide range of state benefits. These included disability allowances, long-term care assistance, child benefits, maternity leave payments, children’s savings plans, unemployment insurance, education grants, and more—often amounting to thousands of shekels each month while serving prison terms.
In addition, under previous regulations, the wife of an imprisoned terrorist could claim income support due to the change in household income, receiving monthly stipends for the duration of the sentence.
The new law brings this practice to an end. Anyone convicted of murder, attempted murder, or serious terror offenses will be stripped of all National Insurance payments. Family members—especially spouses—will also lose eligibility for benefits if the income stems from the terrorist’s incarceration.
“It’s Over—Terrorists Will Not See Another Shekel from the State of Israel”
MK Ofir Katz, who led the legislative effort, declared:
“It’s over—terrorists will not see another shekel from the State of Israel. Today we correct a massive injustice. This law puts an end to one of the most outrageous moral failures in our country. Terrorists were receiving payments from us—from the State of Israel. The first place they would go after being released was the National Insurance Institute. This isn’t a mistake—it’s insanity that spiraled out of control. These individuals made a conscious decision to murder Jews and harm the State of Israel. If you’re an enemy, you do not get funded by the very nation you’re trying to destroy. In what other country does such a thing happen? It’s outrageous, it’s absurd—and as of today, it’s finished.”
