Ben Gvir Rejects Call to Repeal Death Penalty for Terrorists Law

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Sunday rejected a call to repeal the death-penalty-for-terrorists law. In a November 15 statement, he accused Yedioth Ahronoth of promoting repeal that morning and linked the proposal to the “government of change” he said others were planning. Ben Gvir said the new Knesset had barely organized before the media began telling the public what should change. He described the legislation as a law “that we enacted” and ended his post with the word “Disgrace!” His statement included a newspaper clipping criticizing the law. The Knesset adopted the legislation on March 30, and it was published in the official gazette on April 5. Its stated purposes include protecting Israel and its residents, deterring terrorism and preventing hostage-taking intended to secure prisoner exchanges. It directs changes to military law in Judea and Samaria prescribing death for residents who intentionally kill in an act of terrorism, excluding Israeli citizens and residents. Military courts may impose life imprisonment instead for special circumstances recorded in their decisions. The legislation also removes requirements for a prosecution request for the death penalty, unanimity among military judges and a minimum lieutenant-colonel rank for those judges. A separate Penal Law amendment provides for death or life imprisonment for intentional killing in specified terrorist circumstances aimed at denying Israel’s existence.