Israel has only twice used the death penalty against a convicted prisoner, with the last execution occurring over sixty years ago for notorious Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. However, following the devastating Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which marked Israel's darkest day, there is a growing political push to pass a new capital punishment law specifically targeting Palestinians convicted of fatal acts of terrorism.
Advocates for the bill assert it is a critical component of national defense. It's another brick in the wall of our defence, said Zvika Fogel, the far-right chair of the parliamentary national security committee. He claimed that introducing the death penalty is the most moral and Jewish decision, galvanizing support among constituents affected by violence.
Nonetheless, human rights groups denounce the proposal as one of the most extreme legislative efforts in Israeli history, labeling it as a step towards racialized capital punishment that applies solely to Palestinians. Heated parliamentary hearings have included testimonies from affected families, with some bereaved individuals, like Dr. Valentina Gusak, voicing support for the bill. Dr. Gusak, whose daughter was a victim of the October attacks, condones capital punishment as preventive treatment. She employed a striking metaphor in her testimony, arguing that it serves as a vaccine against murder.
Despite the rising support, significant opposition remains. Critics contend that capital punishment goes against both Jewish law and ethical standards, highlighting the risk of executing innocent individuals. Observers emphasize that the intent behind the bill appears to be punitive rather than reformative, given its exclusive focus on Palestinians.
As the bill continues its path through the Knesset, it symbolizes a deeper societal conflict over the values of justice, revenge, and moral principles in a time of escalating violence and uncertainty in Israel.
