Ben-Gvir’s gallows spectacle gives Israel’s enemies ammunition- comment

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has ignited controversy by posting a video of a gallows being constructed in a maximum-security prison for Palestinian terrorists. "I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons – we kept it," Ben-Gvir stated in the clip. "I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law – we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape."

Ben-Gvir added that the facility would include viewing booths for the families of terror victims, similar to those in the United States. While the legislation for the death penalty for terrorists, pushed by Ben-Gvir, passed the Knesset earlier this year, his public celebration of executions has drawn sharp criticism. He has previously worn a gallows pin, celebrated the law's passage with champagne, and received a birthday cake depicting a gallows.

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I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons – we kept it. I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law – we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape.

Beyond these displays, Ben-Gvir recently appeared on a podcast where he told a former hostage that seeing him execute captured terrorists was "one of my greatest dreams." This is not presented as a sober argument for capital punishment but as a public celebration of death and revenge. Critics argue that such actions are grotesque and un-Jewish, and that this "Iran-style glorification of hangings" damages Israel's image on the global stage.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's silence on Ben-Gvir's actions is also questioned. While Netanyahu may not control every statement Ben-Gvir makes, critics argue he should condemn such behavior and distance his government from it, rather than allowing Ben-Gvir to continue as a "public relations train wreck."

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seeing him do so was one of my greatest dreams.