Electronic Monitoring Law Passes

This week, after a long struggle of over a decade, the Israeli Knesset approved the Electronic Monitoring Law, which WIZO brought onto the agenda in 2012. This marks a significant milestone in the history of the fight against domestic violence.

It is a declaration by the State of Israel of electronic monitoring of domestic violence offenders under a restraining order. This move transforms the restraining order into a life-saving tool, enabling families to remain at home without seeking refuge in shelters.

It will be accompanied by a thorough risk assessment conducted by the judiciary. The mechanism will also document compliance with the orders, ensuring that claims of the order’s insignificance are rendered irrelevant. Israel is finally recognizing the supreme value of preserving lives over any infringement on privacy and other excuses raised over the years.

This legislation is a testament to the value of women’s lives and their security. It guarantees their right to live without threats and violence. The enactment of this law sends a clear message about the responsibility that the State of Israel is assuming.

WIZO brought the bill to the agenda in November 2012. Since then, there has been relentless effort and cooperation with various women’s organizations and members of the Knesset and government ministers in the Ministry of National Security.

The proposed law was presented both as a private bill and as a government proposal. It involved long and extensive deliberations, ranging from budgetary considerations to individual concerns and privacy implications.

The marathon-like journey with this law resembles a relay race, where more and more people joined the effort, carrying the baton without letting it fall. It is an opportunity to express gratitude to the Knesset members, ministers, survivors of domestic violence, and women’s organizations who collaborated throughout this long and complex process until the law was approved.