日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — israeli-national-security-minister-unveils-execution-facility
Israeli National Security Minister Unveils Execution Facility with Viewing Booths
REL_TIME: 24 Aug 2026 14:42Z · LANG: EN
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked international outrage after unveiling a newly constructed execution wing in a central Israel prison, featuring gallows and observation booths for victims' families. The facility is designed to implement the 'Death Penalty for Terrorists' law passed in March 2026, which critics argue is discriminatory as it effectively applies only to Palestinians convicted in military courts. The announcement follows Ben-Gvir's recent calls for the daily mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza, leading to renewed demands for international sanctions against him and the Israeli government.
// Background
Israel has historically avoided the death penalty, with the 1962 execution of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann being the only instance in its history. Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician with past convictions for inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization, has long campaigned for the death penalty for Palestinians. The current legislation was passed in March 2026 following the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza.
// Key Developments
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited an undisclosed prison site in central Israel to showcase the construction of gallows.
- The facility includes viewing booths intended for the families of victims to witness the hanging of convicted Palestinians.
- The 'Death Penalty for Terrorists' law, passed by the Knesset in March 2026, mandates hanging for terrorism-related killings but excludes Jewish extremists from its practical application.
- International bodies including the UN, European Parliament, and various European nations have condemned the facility as 'dehumanizing' and a 'horrific spectacle.'
- Ben-Gvir cited the United States as a precedent for allowing families to view executions.
- The move coincides with Ben-Gvir's public advocacy for killing 30 to 40 Palestinians in Gaza every night to encourage migration.
- Human rights groups report that at least 104 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody since 2023 amid allegations of torture and neglect.
// Timeline
-
The Knesset passes the 'Death Penalty for Terrorists' law in a 62-48 vote.
-
The law takes effect and is incorporated into West Bank military regulations.
-
Ben-Gvir calls for the nightly killing of 30 to 40 Palestinians in Gaza during a podcast interview.
-
Ben-Gvir releases a video from the construction site of the gallows and viewing booths.
-
UN and European officials issue formal condemnations of Ben-Gvir's statements and the execution facility.
// Perspectives
[Itamar Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit Party]
Pro-execution; views the facility as a fulfillment of campaign promises to worsen prisoner conditions and provide justice for victims.
[Palestinian Prisoner Society]
Strongly opposed; describes the facility as a 'crime against humanity' and part of a system of codified incitement.
[European Union and UN Officials]
Condemnatory; view the move as a violation of international law and human dignity.
[J Street]
Critical; argues the facility reflects the broader agenda of the Israeli government and highlights the exclusion of Jewish extremists from the law.
[Emirati Billionaire Khalaf Ahmad al-Habtoor]
Questioning; suggests such rhetoric makes regional peace and coexistence impossible.
// Quotes
“Terrorists deserve only one thing – death by hanging.”
“A horrific spectacle that turns the death penalty into a show.”
“Ben-Gvir is a bloodthirsty psychopath, war criminal, and one of Israel’s beloved genocidal leaders.”
“These remarks are appalling, they’re outrageous, they’re dehumanizing, they’re dangerous, and we condemn them unequivocally.”
