Knesset advances ‘Death Penalty for Terrorists’ bill after Netanyahu drops opposition

Bill mandating the death penalty for terrorists who murder Israelis passes preliminary Knesset vote after securing backing from prime minister.

By World Israel News Staff

The Knesset voted Monday to give preliminary approval to a bill mandating the death penalty for terrorists convicted of murder, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dropped his opposition to the proposal.

The National Security Committee, chaired by MK Tzvika Fogel (Otzma Yehudit), approved the “Death Penalty for Terrorists” bill, drafted by MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit).

Monday’s vote paves the way for the bill’s first reading in the Knesset plenum.

While Israeli law already permits the use of the death penalty, its use is heavily restricted, and capital punishment has been carried out only once in Israel’s history — with the execution of Adolf Eichmann.

Currently, a panel of judges must vote unanimously to back a death sentence, with higher courts able to overrule any death sentence handed down by a court.

If passed, IDF courts trying terrorists would be able to sentence them to death with a simple majority rather than by unanimous agreement.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates, appeals courts would be unable to overturn death sentences.

“Someone who murdered, raped and kidnapped our sons and daughters is not entitled to see the light of day and his sentence should be death,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit).

“The death penalty law is not only a moral and just step, but also critical to the security of the state. It is a foremost deterrent tool that will plant in the hearts of terrorists the clear knowledge — the blood of Israeli citizens is not forfeit. This is how we fight terror, this is how we create deterrence.”

The bill received preliminary backing in late September, after Otzma Yehudit lawmakers ignored calls by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hostage envoy Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch called on the committee to cancel its hearing on the proposed legislation.

Both Netanyahu and Hirsch had opposed moving forward with the bill, amid concerns that passage of the law could lead Hamas to execute Israeli hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip.

However, now with all of the living hostages returned to Israel, Hirsch withdrew his opposition, with Netanyahu endorsing the measure.

“In the previous hearing I opposed holding the discussion itself because of the danger posed to the living hostages,” Hirsch told the committee Monday morning.

“Since the living hostages are here, first of all thanks to our soldiers and then thanks to our friend President Donald Trump, my objection at the previous hearing is nullified. I spoke with the prime minister and he is also in favor of the bill. This is an additional tool in the fight against terror.”