Israel: Ben Gvir announces the construction of an area for hanging terrorists
The Israeli Minister for National Security was photographed in front of the building site in the area under construction, which will include “observation huts” for the victims’ families
In a video posted on his social media channels, the Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir announced the construction of an area designated for the execution by hanging of terrorists sentenced to death within the existing death row wing of a prison in central Israel.
“I promised to make conditions worse for terrorists in prison, and we have kept that promise,” said Ben Gvir. “I promised to pass the law on the death penalty for terrorists, and we have done so. And now death row and the execution area are also taking shape.” According to the announcement, the facility will include “observation booths” for victims of terrorism and their families, who will be able to witness the hangings with a special access permit. “We are making history,” emphasised Ben Gvir. “Our terrorists deserve only one thing: death by hanging.”
In June, Ben Gvir had appointed six relatives of victims of terrorism, members of the “Choosing Life Forum”, official inspectors under the law on the death penalty for terrorists, passed by the Knesset in March and subsequently incorporated into the West Bank security regulations by General Avi Bluth, commander of the Israeli Defence Forces’ Central Command. The inspectors – Ben Gvir stated – will play a central role in monitoring the conditions of terrorists sentenced to death and will have supervisory powers over the implementation of the law. “No one deserves more than the families who have paid the highest price in the fight against terrorism to be part of the oversight mechanism for the enforcement of the law,” he said. “This appointment reflects recognition of the pain of the victims of terrorism and their right to be partners in the fight for justice and deterrence.”
International outrage
In recent days, several world leaders had already spoken out against the Israeli minister’s remarks, in which he stated that Israel should kill “30 or 40” Palestinians “every night in Gaza”. “These statements are shocking. They are outrageous. They are dehumanising and dangerous. And we condemn them unreservedly,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, echoing the outrage of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also condemned Ben Gvir’s call, which expresses “contempt for human beings”. “Our message is that there must be no further annexations in the West Bank. These run counter to a two-state solution,” added the German government spokesperson.
