Knesset Set to Vote on Death Penalty for Terrorists Amid Intense Debate
Israel’s parliament is expected to vote Monday on a divisive proposal that would authorize the death penalty for terrorists convicted of deadly attacks.
The measure has sparked sharp debate among politicians and security officials. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has cast the vote as a defining moment, saying approval of the bill would represent a fundamental change in Israel’s approach to deterrence.
Ben-Gvir called the expected vote “a historic moment for the State of Israel,” arguing that after the October 7 attacks, Israel can no longer afford to respond with restraint or uncertainty.
He said support for the bill now extends further than in previous years, including within parts of the security establishment. According to Ben-Gvir, officials in the Shin Bet, the military, the police and the prison service increasingly believe the law would make potential attackers think twice. He said the severity of recent terrorist attacks demands a tougher response.
Under the proposed legislation, courts would be permitted to sentence terrorists who carry out fatal attacks to death.
Ben-Gvir said that terrorism threatens all Israelis equally, saying, “A terrorist does not distinguish between religious and secular. He comes to kill us all.” He urged lawmakers to support the proposal, saying Israelis expect their elected officials to prioritize public safety.
Ben-Gvir has also been lobbying chareidi lawmakers to vote in favor of the measure, although they have not yet publicly stated how they will vote.
