In a vote full of political symbolism and profound security implications, the Knesset approved, in second and third reading, a law that enables the death penalty for terrorists.
The bill was backed by 62 legislators, with 48 votes against and one abstention, reflecting both broad support within the ruling coalition and strong opposition in opposition sectors.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was present at the venue to vote in favor, stressing the importance that his government attaches to this legislation in the context of a prolonged wave of terrorist attacks.
The initiative was promoted by the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, who considers it a central element of his agenda since the beginning of his term of office.
Minister Ben-Gvir welcomes the approval of the death penalty bill for terrorists
According to its sponsors, the law seeks to reinforce the State's deterrent capacity against terrorism and provide a response commensurate with the damage caused by deliberate
attacks against civilians.
“The State of Israel changes the rules of the game today,” Ben-Gvir said after the vote, noting that those who commit murders as part of terrorist actions will face the maximum legal consequences.
The approved text establishes that terrorists who intentionally kill a person may be sentenced to death, although, in most cases, a judge will determine whether capital punishment or life imprisonment should be applied.
Under certain circumstances, especially in cases linked to terrorists from Judea and Samaria, the death penalty could be applied automatically, subject to specific appeals.
The regulations also define technical aspects, such as the method of execution - which will be by hanging - and a maximum period of 90 days from the sentence to its execution. These provisions have been adjusted in recent weeks to respond to criticisms about the viability and severity of the
original project.
From a pro-Israel perspective, the law is framed in the State's sovereign right to protect its citizens against persistent threats. Coalition officials have insisted that this is not a measure of revenge, but rather of state responsibility
.
It should be remembered that the death penalty has been applied only twice in the history of the State of Israel, the best-known case being that of the Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962. If this law were implemented, it would mark a significant change in Israeli criminal policy after more than six decades
.
In short, the approval of this legislation reflects the delicate balance between security, justice and democratic values in a country that continues to face constant threats. For its defenders, it is a necessary step to reinforce deterrence; for its critics, it is a controversial measure whose impact is yet
