Israel’s National Security Committee approves Otzma Yehudit’s death penalty bill for terrorists in a heated debate pitting justice for victims against concerns over hostages.
Israel’s National Security Committee convened Sunday morning to deliberate the explosive proposal of a mandatory death penalty for terrorists. Despite objections from some security officials, the committee approved the Otzma Yehudit bill in its first reading, marking a watershed moment in Israel’s war on terror.
The bill mandates capital punishment for terrorists convicted of murder motivated by antisemitism, racism, or hostility toward the Jewish people, under circumstances where the act was intended to strike at Israel’s sovereignty and continuity as the Jewish homeland.
Committee Chairman MK Tzvika Fogel declared: “The death penalty for terrorists is not revenge—it is justice.” Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who spearheaded the legislation, rejected calls to delay: “Close associates of the Prime Minister asked me to stop this debate. My answer is no. After October 7th, all those excuses about timing are meaningless. Hamas is not deterred by weakness.”
Ben-Gvir accused Israel’s security establishment of clinging to a failed conceptzia that prevents decisive action: “They told me restricting prison privileges would cause an intifada. They told me not to provoke Hamas. October 7th proved all those warnings false.”
But not everyone agreed. Gal Hirsch, Israel’s Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons, opposed advancing the bill now, citing the plight of the hostages still held by Hamas. “I am not expressing a personal opinion—I represent the families. There are 48 hostages, 20 alive, 2 in critical danger. This timing endangers them,” he warned.
Ben-Gvir shot back: “You do not represent all the families, and you know it. Some families demand harsher justice.”
The fiery exchange was interrupted by MK Gilad Kariv of the Democrats party, who accused Ben-Gvir of exploiting the hostages for political theater: “Shame on you, there are hostages! This is a campaign stunt.”
Despite the criticism, the committee pushed the bill forward. Supporters say it will deliver long-overdue justice and deter future terror attacks. Opponents argue it could complicate sensitive negotiations.
One thing is clear: after the October 7th massacre, Israel’s patience for leniency toward terrorists is evaporating. The message is shifting — those who murder Jews will face ultimate justice.
