Ben-Gvir appoints bereaved family members as official inspectors under terrorist death penalty law

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has appointed six members of bereaved families as official inspectors under Israel's Death Penalty for Terrorists Law. These individuals, affiliated with the Choosing Life Forum, will play a key role in overseeing the conditions of terrorists sentenced to death and will hold supervisory powers concerning the law's implementation.

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The Death Penalty for Terrorists Law is intended to restore deterrence to the State of Israel and make clear to every terrorist that anyone who chooses to murder Jews will pay the highest possible price.

Among the appointees are Herzl Hajaj, father of Lt. Shir Hajaj who was killed in a ramming attack, and Boaz Kokia, father of Sgt. Ron Kokia who died in a terrorist attack. The Death Penalty for Terrorists Law is intended to enhance deterrence against terrorism, making it clear that those who commit murder will face severe consequences.

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No one is more deserving than families who have paid the heaviest price in the fight against terrorism to be part of the oversight mechanism for implementing the law. This appointment reflects recognition of the pain of terror victims and their right to be partners in the struggle for justice and deterrence.

Ben-Gvir emphasized that those who have suffered the most from terrorism are the most deserving to be part of the oversight mechanism. "This appointment reflects recognition of the pain of terror victims and their right to be partners in the struggle for justice and deterrence," he stated. The law will permit these inspectors to be present during the execution of death sentences.

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For years, we fought against the favorable conditions enjoyed by the murderers of our loved ones in order to create deterrence and prevent the next murder. I would like to thank National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for the revolution he has led regarding terrorists imprisoned in Israel.

Herzl Hajaj, speaking on behalf of the families, expressed gratitude to Minister Ben-Gvir for the "revolution" in how terrorists are treated in Israeli prisons. He noted that for years, terrorists enjoyed favorable conditions, while victims' families dealt with their pain alone. "Minister Ben-Gvir led a profound change in this policy and restored the understanding that a terrorist’s place is in prison under minimal conditions, not at a summer camp funded by Israeli citizens," Hajaj said. He added that their appointment as inspectors is a continuation of this approach, sending a message that "the State of Israel stands with the victims, not with the murderers."

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For years, terrorists enjoyed conditions and benefits that were beyond reason, while the families of those murdered and injured were left to cope alone with the pain and loss. Minister Ben-Gvir led a profound change in this policy and restored the understanding that a terrorist’s place is in prison under minimal conditions, not at a summer camp funded by Israeli citizens.