An Israeli parliamentary committee has approved a bill that would authorize the execution of members of Palestinian resistance organizations convicted of deadly attacks. The proposed legislation is titled the “Death Penalty for Terrorists Bill.”
The bill was introduced on Monday by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Under the proposed law, any convicted “terrorist” who commits murder motivated by ethnic hatred or public hostility — and whose intent is deemed to harm the State of Israel — would face a mandatory death sentence. The law would leave no room for judicial discretion or plea for clemency.
To enforce the death penalty, the approval of a majority of the judges would be required. Once passed, however, the verdict would be final and the sentence could not be commuted.
Ben-Gvir stated on Monday, “There will be no leniency under this law. Any terrorist who plans or carries out murder must know that the only punishment awaiting them is death.”
According to reports, the National Security Committee has already approved the amendment to Israel’s penal code, and the bill will now proceed to the Knesset for its first reading. Gal Hirsch, Israel’s national coordinator for hostages and missing persons, confirmed that both he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu support the legislation.
The Hamas movement has strongly condemned the proposed bill, describing it as “a reflection of the ugly, fascist face of the Zionist occupation and a blatant violation of international law.” In its statement, Hamas urged the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action against what it called an “unjust and inhumane” move.
Sources: The Times of Israel, Arab News.