Tel Aviv, September 18 (RHC)-- Israel's Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has authorized the use of sniper fire by Israeli military forces against Palestinian stone-throwers in Jerusalem.

On Thursday, Weinstein approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to change the rules of engagement and declare "war against stone-throwers and firebomb throwers" in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The top Israeli legal official also approved the arrest of minors and children under the age of 10 and 5 who throw stones, in addition to a fine of up to 100,000 Israeli shekels (about U$D $26,000).

Aida Touma-Sliman, an Israeli lawmaker for the Joint Arab List, accused the Israeli prime minister of "people hunting," saying: "Netanyahu is apparently looking for a judicial license to kill and to murder."

Israel's armed forces are currently allowed to use snipers against Palestinians, who throw fire bombs or large stones. They can only target the Palestinians' legs.

While Israeli soldiers in the West Bank are permitted to use .22 inch Luger sniper rifles, border police in the occupied East Jerusalem currently respond to Palestinian stone-throwers with a range of weapons, some firing sponge-coated bullets. Several Palestinians have been blinded after being struck in the eyes with such bullets over the past year.