ISRAELI KNESSET PASSES WIDESPREAD ANTI-TERROR REFORMS:

 Israeli lawmakers on 15 June 2016, voted to approve an anti-terror bill which increases the punishments for those who organize terror attacks and which enables courts to convict terror cell leaders more easily. The bill passed into law with 57 lawmakers in favor and 16 opposed. The legislation replaces a series of emergency provisions used since the establishment of the state and marks the first time that punishments for terror attacks have been enshrined into Israeli law. According to the law, people directly or indirectly involved in organizing terror cells could receive up to 25 years in prison. Terrorists who are found to have used chemical, biological, or radioactive weapons during attacks will face life sentences as part of the new reforms. The legislation defines terrorism as an action or threat done out of a "political, religious, nationalistic or ideological” motive. The law does not differentiate between Jews and Palestinians or soldiers and civilians. The passing of the legislation comes as Israel is still reeling from a mass terrorist shooting attack in Tel Aviv that left four dead last week. (i24) Intercede also that terrorists will not be paid plush salaries by the PA and Hamas during their time in prison. Continue to pray for the safety of residents throughout Israel, and especially in and around Jerusalem during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Islamic hate groups, especially ISIS, have called for stepped-up terrorist attacks against the Jewish state (and throughout the West) during the 30 day observance of Ramadan.