Israel Moves to Approve Death Penalty for Those It Describes as “Terrorists”

The Israeli Knesset’s National Security Committee approved on Monday a preliminary draft law allowing the imposition of the death penalty on those the authorities describe as “terrorists,” in a controversial move led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The committee approved an amendment to the relevant penal code, paving the way for its submission to the Knesset for a first reading during upcoming sessions.

The bill is one of the key demands of the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, headed by Ben-Gvir, who threatened to withhold his party’s support for the ruling coalition if the proposal is not brought to a vote before the end of the week — a move that could jeopardize the stability of the Israeli government.

According to the bill’s explanatory memorandum, its purpose is to “eradicate terrorism from its roots and create a strong deterrent.” It mandates the imposition of a compulsory death sentence on any person convicted of committing murder motivated by hatred or racism, or with the intent to harm the State of Israel, without granting the court authority to commute or replace the sentence.

The current version of the bill allows the sentence to be passed by a majority of judges and stipulates that it cannot be reduced once finalized.

Although Israeli law already includes the death penalty in limited cases, Israel has not carried out any execution since 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was executed for his role in the Holocaust.

Gal Hirsch, Israel’s hostage affairs coordinator in ongoing negotiations, said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the proposal, describing it as “an additional tool in the fight against terrorism.”

For his part, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated: “There will be no room for discretion in this law — any terrorist preparing to commit murder must know that there is only one punishment: death.”

The bill faces potential domestic and international criticism, as human rights organizations warn that it could lead to an expanded application of the death penalty in ways that contradict international legal standards.