Death Penalty Discussion
Will Israel Execute the October 7 Killers?
Israeli lawmakers clash over proposed death penalty bill for terrorists, as hostage coordinator warns of risks to captives in Gaza. Ben Gvir pushes forward despite PMO objections.
A political rift has opened between the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir as the Knesset's National Security Committee convened Sunday to debate a bill mandating the death penalty for terrorists. The debate proceeded despite a direct request from the PMO to postpone it, citing an immediate risk to the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Minister Ben Gvir, who appeared before the committee, confirmed he refused the Prime Minister's request, arguing that the timing is critical for establishing deterrence.
Hostage Coordinator Warns of "Danger to Life"
The highly charged meeting included both Minister Ben Gvir and the Coordinator for the Hostages and Missing Persons, Gal Hirsch.
Hirsch, who heads the efforts to return the 48 remaining hostages, sharply contested Ben Gvir's assessment of the law's impact, confirming he had explicitly requested the discussion be canceled.
"I requested not to hold this debate. I asked the Prime Minister that the subject not be brought to the plenum before a debate in the Cabinet, where I would reflect my situation assessment," Hirsch stated. "I did not ask for no reason; I cannot share [my reasoning] in this forum. I completely disagree with your situation assessment, Ben Gvir."
Hirsch added that "every matter must be examined with a magnifying glass when our brothers and sisters are in danger to life," but did confirm that the government has "never thwarted a deal," directly addressing accusations that Ben Gvir’s actions blocked previous efforts.
Ben Gvir and Otzma Yehudit Push for "Historical Justice"
National Security Committee Chairman MK Tzvika Fogel, who opened the hearing, framed the bill as a matter of "historical justice" and national resolve. Fogel detailed the brutality of the October 7 attackers and other convicted terrorists, arguing they are "not entitled to live."
"Someone who raped a mother in front of her children on October 7, or murdered children in front of their parents on the same date... cannot live, is forbidden to live. This is not revenge. This is justice, historical justice, the justice of a state with a backbone," Fogel stated.
Minister Ben Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, reiterated that the death penalty serves as vital deterrence, claiming it would "not only not harm the hostages, but will hasten their return home."
"Hamas must know that if a hair on a hostage's head is harmed... precisely at this time, we need the death penalty," Ben Gvir argued.
Attack on PM's Office: A "Capitulation"
The Otzma Yehudit party issued a statement doubling down on the timing of the debate, launching a strong attack on the PM and his staff:
"This is an important step at the current time, all the more so at a time when capitulation is looming from the Prime Minister and his people," the party stated.
Otzma Yehudit specifically criticized the PMO for reportedly allowing Red Cross visits for jailed terrorists, a move they claim endangers state security and deterrence, while Israeli hostages "languish in tunnels in Gaza."
Opposition Accuses of Recklessness
Opposition MK Gilad Kariv, a member of the committee, condemned the move as reckless political maneuvering that directly endangers Israeli captives.
"Beyond the principled reservations, debating the death penalty for terrorists while our brothers and sisters are in the hands of Hamas terrorists constitutes a direct and immediate danger to their lives, and could endanger the contacts for a hostage deal," Kariv stated, noting that the PMO's request to Ben Gvir confirmed this security risk. "Whoever voted against the previous hostage deals chooses to endanger the hostages now as well, all to scrape together votes. This is irresponsibility."