The Israel Knesset on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Counter-Terrorism Law introducing a new criminal offence, namely the “consumption of terrorist materials”, with a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment.
The amendment passed by a 13-4 majority. Earlier, Knesset had moved to ban Doha-based Al Jazeera Network for their coverage of the Gaza genocide.
Israel’s top leaders have been actively discrediting news and stories that are critical of Israel.
The law amends Article 24 of Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Law to include a new offence, specified as the “systematic and continuous consumption of publications of a terrorist organization under circumstances that indicate identification with the terrorist organization”.
“One of the most intrusive and draconian legislative measures ever passed by the Israeli Knesset which invades the realm of personal thoughts and beliefs and significantly amplifies state surveillance of social media use,” reads a statement by Adalah, a Palestinian civil rights group.
Adalah will challenge it in the Supreme Court.
This offence carries a penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment.
The “specific publications” referred to in the law encompass expressions of praise, support, or encouragement of terrorist acts, direct calls to commit an act of terrorism, as well as documentation of an act of terrorism.
Additionally, the bill designates Hamas and ISIS (the Islamic State) as the terrorist organizations to which this offence applies. The amendment also grants the Minister of Justice the authority to declare additional terrorist organizations for this article, with the concurrence of the Minister of Defense and the approval of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee.
The law was passed as a temporary order valid for two years.
