Israeli Knesset Advances Bill Mandating Death Penalty for Terrorists

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the bill would deter ‘Arab terrorists’ from kidnapping Israelis in the hope of securing prisoner exchanges.Itamar Ben Gvir (L) and Bezalel Smotrich (R) at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on Nov. 15, 2022. Abir Sultan/AFP via Getty Images11/11/2025|Updated: 11/11/2025The Israeli Knesset advanced a bill on Nov. 10 that would mandate the death penalty for terrorists convicted of killing Israeli citizens.In a vote held late in the day—the first of four needed for the bill to become law—it passed with 39 votes for and 16 against, out of 120 lawmakers.Guy Birchall is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of national stories with a particular interest in freedom of expression and social issues.Author’s Selected Articles