Title: Israeli Parliament Approves Law for Electronic Handcuffs to Prevent Domestic Violence
Date: July 30, 2023
In a significant step towards curbing domestic violence, the Knesset plenum has approved a draft law for the prevention of domestic violence, also known as the “law for electronic handcuffs for violent men.” The proposal received unanimous support from 43 Knesset members, with no opponents or abstentions, ultimately leading to its final approval. The law, which will be implemented as a temporary provision for three years, aims to protect victims of domestic violence and monitor violent offenders who are under court-ordered restraining orders.
Under the new legislation, an electronic handcuff system will be established to monitor and enforce restraining orders. The prison service will create a technological supervision unit responsible for overseeing the implementation of electronic handcuffs. The supervision unit will comprise both civil servants and employees from an external company. To ensure successful implementation, the police will add 24 standards for police officers and 8 standards for social workers from the Ministry of Welfare.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the law, the Minister of National Security will provide an annual report to the National Security Committee of the Knesset. The report will outline the compliance with the law and address any necessary adjustments. Additionally, a steering committee will be established to conduct accompanying research. One year after the law’s implementation, the National Security Committee will review the possibility of extending protection orders under the supervision conditions without a prior risk assessment.
The journey towards passing this law dates back to 2017 when it was first introduced in the Knesset. During the transition between governments, Minister Ben Gvir introduced amendments to the law, limiting the use of electronic handcuffs to individuals with two previous convictions. The amendments also set a maximum limit of 200 handcuffed individuals at any given time, with a projected increase of 300 dangerous assessments for the following year. Notably, women were excluded from this requirement due to assessments indicating a risk to their lives.
MK Aida Toma-Soliman, a prominent advocate for the law, expressed her satisfaction at its approval. Reflecting on the challenges faced in its development, Toma-Soliman hailed the law as a tool for protection that restores control to women over their lives. She emphasized that it allows women to continue functioning in their daily lives without restrictions, while ensuring their safety and protection. Toma-Soliman commended the state for taking responsibility and prioritizing women’s safety.
This landmark legislation signifies a significant step forward in addressing domestic violence in Israel. By implementing electronic handcuffs, the law aims to protect victims and hold violent offenders accountable for their actions. It is hoped that this law will provide a safer environment for those affected by domestic violence and serve as a deterrent to potential abusers.