Jerusalem: In a significant and widely debated move, the Knesset plenum on Monday evening approved a bill mandating the death penalty for terrorists, marking a major shift in Israel’s legal approach to terrorism. The legislation passed in its final readings with 62 lawmakers voting in favour, 48 opposing, and one abstention.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally attended the session and cast his vote in support of the bill, signalling strong backing from the government. The legislation was spearheaded by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit Party, which had made its passage a key condition in coalition negotiations.
A strong deterrent against terrorism
Supporters of the bill argue that it introduces a decisive deterrent against acts of terrorism while delivering justice to victims and their families. Upon its passage, Ben-Gvir welcomed the development, describing it as a turning point in Israel’s security policy. He stated that the new law changes the rules of the game by ensuring that those who commit acts of terror face the most severe consequences. Emphasising justice and deterrence, he framed the legislation as a necessary step to protect Israeli citizens and prevent future attacks. The bill stipulates that any terrorist who intentionally kills a person as part of an act of terrorism may be sentenced to death. While the initial draft proposed an automatic death penalty, the final version introduces judicial discretion, allowing judges to choose between capital punishment and life imprisonment in most cases.
However, for terrorists from the West Bank, the law maintains a stricter provision, prescribing an automatic death sentence unless successfully appealed under specific circumstances. The execution method outlined in the bill is hanging, to be carried out by the Israel Prison Service. This marks a change from earlier proposals that had suggested lethal injection. Additionally, the law mandates that executions be implemented within a defined timeframe of up to 90 days from sentencing, ensuring swift enforcement.
Legislative evolution and political debate
The bill has undergone extensive deliberation and refinement since it first passed its initial reading in November 2025. Discussions continued within the Knesset’s National Security Committee, where several provisions were modified to address concerns that certain aspects were overly harsh or impractical.
These revisions resulted in a more structured and implementable framework, balancing firmness with procedural clarity. The inclusion of judicial discretion for most cases reflects an effort to align the law with broader legal standards while maintaining its core objective of deterrence.
The legislation also drew strong political engagement across party lines. Avigdor Liberman ultimately voted in favour after initial uncertainty, reportedly conditioning his support on the presence of key coalition leaders during the vote. The Shas Party, led by Arye Deri, also backed the bill following guidance from the Council of Torah Sages, citing satisfaction with the revised provisions. At the same time, opposition voices raised concerns during the debate. Yair Lapid criticised the bill, arguing that it was politically motivated and did not constitute sound legislation. Similarly, Benny Gantz voted against the proposal.
Lawmakers from Arab parties also expressed strong opposition throughout the process, leading to multiple confrontations during deliberations. Despite these disagreements, the bill’s passage reflects a clear parliamentary majority in favour of adopting stricter measures against terrorism. The approval of this legislation marks a defining moment in Israel’s internal security policy. By introducing the possibility of capital punishment for terrorism, lawmakers have signalled a firm commitment to deterrence, justice, and national security, while also navigating complex legal and political considerations.
