Families who lost loved ones to terrorism urge MKs to vote for Death Penalty bill

In the past 40 years Israel has released more than 7,000 Arab terrorists in extremely lopsided exchanges in exchange for kidnapped soldiers and civilians or their remains.

By Hezy Laing

Families who have lost loved ones to Arab terrorism are demanding Israeli MKs vote in favor of the Death Penalty bill proposed by the Otzma Yehudit party.

Polls show large public support for the bill – around 75%.

In Israel’s 78 years of existence, the state has executed only one prisoner—Holocaust supervisor Adolf Eichmann.

Groups representing families who have lost loved ones to terror attacks, such as the “Choosing Life Forum,” have been vocal in demanding that members of the Knesset (MKs) support upcoming legislation to implement the death penalty for nationalistically motivated murder.

They think such a measure is necessary for justice, as the current penalties do not fit the crime—often allowing those who have murdered to go free after serving only a few years in jail.

They also say it would serve as a deterrent against future attacks.

In addition, they note it would ensure that those who commit acts of terror do not benefit from future prisoner exchange deals.

In the past 40 years, Israel has released more than 7,000 Arab terrorists in extremely lopsided exchanges in exchange for kidnapped soldiers and civilians, or their remains.

The vast majority of these releases occurred during four major periods: the 1985 Jibril Agreement, the 2004 Tennenbaum deal, the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal and the 2023–2025 Gaza conflict.

Major Terrorist Release Deals

2023–2025 Gaza War Hostage Deals: Israel released approximately 4,000 prisoners in several phases.

2011 Gilad Shalit Deal: Israel released 1,027 prisoners in exchange for a single IDF soldier, Gilad Shalit. About 280 of those released were serving life sentences for planning or carrying out deadly attacks.

2004 Tennenbaum Deal: Israel released 436 terrorists in exchange for businessman Elhanan Tennenbaum and the remains of three IDF soldiers.

In 1985, the Jibril Agreement set a significant precedent by releasing 1,150 prisoners for three Israeli soldiers.

More than 100 Israelis have been murdered by terrorists who were released before serving their full sentences.

The bill is the direct result of the Oct. 7 massacre, when more than 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered during Hamas-led attacks on the Gaza envelope area. Hundreds of victims were raped before being murdered.

The murdered include:

Civilians: Approximately 812 to 815 civilians were killed, including women, children, and elderly individuals. This figure also includes 68 to 71 foreign nationals.

IDF Soldiers: Approximately 314 to 329 soldiers fell during the initial attack.

Police Officers: At least 58 police officers were killed in combat.

The Death Penalty bill includes several special stipulations:

Special Tribunal: It proposes a dedicated military tribunal—modeled after the Eichmann trial—to try suspects for crimes, such as genocide and crimes against humanity, that can carry the death penalty.

Public Accountability: The legislation mandates that these trials be broadcast live to the world to document the atrocities and ensure historical transparency.

Key members of the Choosing Life Forum include:

Hadas Mizrahi: Wife of Chief Superintendent Baruch Mizrahi, who was murdered in a drive-by shooting in 2014 while traveling to a Passover seder.

Family of Shir Hajaj: Their daughter, Shir Hajaj, was one of four soldiers murdered in a 2017 truck-ramming attack at the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem.

Family of Hallel Yaffa Ariel: Their 13-year-old daughter, Hallel Yaffa, was stabbed to death by a terrorist while sleeping in her bed in Kiryat Arba in 2016.

Families of Kim Levengrond Yehezkel and Ziv Hajbi: Both were murdered by a Palestinian coworker in a 2018 shooting attack at the Barkan Industrial Park.

The Salomon Family: Lost Yosef, Chaya, and Elad Salomon, who were stabbed to death in their home in Halamish during a Shabbat dinner in 2017.