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Execution facility for terrorists sentenced to death is under construction, Ben-Gvir says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Israel is constructing an execution facility for terrorists sentenced to death, according to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
  • The facility will be located within the existing death row prisoner wing in central Israel.
  • The move follows the Knesset's passage of the Death Penalty for Terrorists law and its addition to West Bank security regulations.

Israel is building an execution facility for convicted terrorists sentenced to death, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Tuesday. The facility will be housed within the already-constructed death row prisoner wing in central Israel. Ben-Gvir stated that his office is fulfilling promises made regarding the conditions of terrorists and the implementation of the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law.

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.

โ€” Itamar Ben-GvirNational Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir details the progress on fulfilling campaign promises.

"I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons - we kept it," said Ben-Gvir. "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." The announcement detailed that the facility will include viewing booths for terror victims and their families to witness the hangings, which the minister described as "customary in many countries."

Ben-Gvir emphasized the historical significance of the development, stating, "We are making history. Our terrorists deserve only one thing - death by hanging." In June, he appointed six bereaved family members from the Choosing Life Forum as official inspectors under the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law. This law was passed by the Knesset in March and later incorporated into West Bank security regulations by IDF Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth in May.

We are making history. Our terrorists deserve only one thing - death by hanging.

โ€” Itamar Ben-GvirBen-Gvir expresses his view on the significance of the execution facility.

These inspectors will oversee the conditions of terrorists given death sentences and will have supervisory powers regarding the law's implementation. Ben-Gvir asserted that these families, having paid the "heaviest price in the fight against terrorism," are most deserving of being part of the oversight mechanism for justice and deterrence. However, some Israeli-Arab lawmakers have challenged the law, filing a petition with the High Court of Justice in April. They argue the law is unconstitutional, violating rights to life, dignity, equality, and due process, and claim it discriminates against Palestinians due to its application in West Bank military courts.

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.

โ€” Itamar Ben-GvirBen-Gvir explains the rationale behind appointing bereaved family members as inspectors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.