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In a rare move on Wednesday, coalition and opposition lawmakers joined forces against a bill allowing police officers to strip detainees even though there is no reason to suspect the presence of contraband.
MPs from both sides of the aisle said that the Knesset would probably not accept the bill, which would even apply to people suspected of minor offenses.
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Police said after a debate before the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee that she was considering making changes to the bill to gain support. The chair of the committee, Nissan Slomiansky, said he doubted the measure would be pbaded.
Israeli police and the Israeli Prison Service say they need the authority specified in the bill.
Aya Goretzky, Deputy Legal Adviser of the Israeli Police, told the commission, "We are the first to confront a citizen. Although the prison service has the power to carry out extensive searches, we find ourselves powerless and in a very difficult position. "
"Currently we can do a search up to the underwear. We can not take off anyone's underwear and we are in danger. Inmates have hidden knives, narcotics, phones in intimate places. It's a matter of life and death, "she said.
Slomiansky criticized the police. "We have been doing well for 70 years, what has happened, have the detainees become more cautious?"
Goretzky replied: "We do not seek unlimited authority. There will be limits and guidelines, where judgment would be used. We would not use this authority in all situations. When we stop someone and there is no reason to think that he has a suspicious object, we do not do any research. "
Slomiansky replied, "So why did you clear the need for suspicion of the bill? A protester is arrested and you can do what you want with them? According to the bill you presented, you would have no limit. It's like you're saying, "Give us a blank check, you can trust us."
MK Dov Khenin said: "You are asking for unlimited and irresponsible power, and you are simply saying that all we want is to strip the searches of people!"
The bill, debated by the committee before the second vote of the plenary badembly (it must be pbaded three times before becoming law), would add to a government bill of 2014 concerning the authorities during arrest, prevent objects from being smuggled into detention cells by allowing strip searches, even if detainees are not expressly suspected of attempting to smuggle contraband objects.
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