The use of illegally mined resources may soon become punishable by a six-month prison term, a new amendment to Israel 'sMining Law states.
The private bill, presented to the Knesset by MK Uri Ariel (National Union ),aims to attack jail time and a sizable fine starting at NIS 75,000 (approx. $20,000) to the use of illegally mined resources like sand, stone and gravel. The bill passed its first Knesset reading.
The bill also imposes extended liability to businesses that use illegally mined resources, which indirectly facilitate it, by not refusing the acquisitions and reporting such illegal ventures to the authorities.
MK Ariel explained that the amendment was formulated following a State Comptroller report, which concluded that illegal mining has become a "nationwide plague" and that those pursing it were "stealing national resources and harming the land."
He added that the amendment was a joint venture, formulated in collaboration with Israel's Green Now association and the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel.
The bill, he further explained, aims to clearly define the offense and impose significantly harsher punishments.
"This bill aims to deter more than it aims to punish, but those who chose to break the law will be subjected to harsher punishment," he said.
"This bill addressed a vital need on the ground," he added. "It will allow us to minimize the damage and maybe even rid us from this phenomenon."
The bill is now pending some final revisions by the Knesset's Economics Committee, ahead of its second and third readings.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter