Knesset Passes First Reading of Death Penalty Bill for Terrorists

The Knesset approved Monday night the first reading of the death penalty for terrorists bill, an initiative of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party. The proposal passed 39–16 and will now move to the National Security Committee for detailed debate before returning to the full Knesset for its decisive votes.

The first reading in Israel’s parliament represents agreement “in principle” that a bill should proceed, not final approval. All 120 lawmakers could have voted, but many were absent since the late-night outcome was already known. 

The bill states that anyone who intentionally or indifferently causes the death of an Israeli citizen out of hatred or hostility toward the public, with the aim of harming the State of Israel or “the rebirth of the Jewish people in its land,” would face the death penalty. It further allows military courts in Judea and Samaria to impose death sentences by a simple majority of judges, without the option of later reducing the punishment.

According to the explanatory text, existing life-sentence penalties have failed to deter terrorists, many of whom are later released in prisoner deals and return to terrorism. Supporters say a death sentence would serve as a powerful deterrent and moral response to terror killings.

Ben-Gvir said the law will “bring security to the people of Israel. This law will be the most important law in the history of the State of Israel. Every terrorist will know — this law is the law that will deter. It is the law that will frighten. It is the law that will make them think a thousand times before they carry out another October 7.”

MK Limor Son Har-Melech, who lost her husband in a 2003 terror attack, told the plenum: ““I stand here on behalf of all the bereaved brothers, the widows, and the orphans…The death penalty for terrorists is a personal and national duty. I stand here before you on behalf of thousands of fighters, the murdered, and their families, and I cry out that the time has come to change the mindset. This law is a moral and national response, a law of justice that says Jewish blood is not worthless.”

National Security Committee chair MK Tzvika Fogel (Otzma Yehudit) called the moment “historic,” saying, “Whoever comes to murder Jews out of hatred for Israel — his blood is on his own head. No more hotels for terrorists, no more prisoner deals. This is the first step toward true deterrence and justice.”

The coalition partner Israel Beiteinu said “Justice has won. A country that pities terrorists is cruel to its victims.” Party chairman Avigdor Liberman added: “A terrorist must die — either on the battlefield or by trial.”

Opposition member MK Ofer Cassif, the only Jewish MK in the Hadash-Ta’al alliance, which otherwise represents mostly Arab Israeli citizens, condemned the bill: “I oppose the death penalty on principle, whoever the defendant may be. This law adds the sin of racism — the state will execute only those whose acts harmed ‘the rebirth of the Jewish people in its land.’ Murderers like Baruch Goldstein or Amiram Ben-Uliel would not be included. Instead of a Third Temple, a Third Reich is being built here.”

As the vote concluded, Ben-Gvir handed out baklava sweets in the plenum, declaring victory. The bill now returns to the National Security Committee, where lawmakers will debate its language and possible amendments before bringing it back for the second and third readings, the votes that will determine whether Israel formally enacts a death penalty for convicted terrorists.