Jerusalem: A parliamentary committee of the Israeli Knesset on Sunday discussed a controversial bill that would permit the execution of Palestinian prisoners, ahead of its planned first reading in the general assembly. During the session of the Israeli National Security Committee, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir emphasized the urgency of the legislation. Despite suggestions from individuals close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone the discussion, Ben-Gvir insisted on proceeding. "This law is a matter of the hour, to create strong deterrence and impose the death penalty on prisoners," he asserted.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the bill is part of the coalition agreements formed by Netanyahu's Likud party and Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit in late 2022. Earlier, in March 2023, the Knesset approved a preliminary reading of a law that allows the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners "convicted of killing Israelis," a proposal spearheaded by Ben-Gvir with Netanyahu's support.
The proposed legislation aims to impose the death penalty on individuals who intentionally or negligently cause the death of an Israeli citizen due to racial or ideological hatred or with the intent to harm Israel. This push for the contentious law is occurring amidst Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, which began in October 2023, leading to significant casualties and destruction among the Palestinian population.
