Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin has introduced a bill in the Knesset seeking the death penalty and public trials for Palestinians accused of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. According to The Jerusalem Post, the bill is scheduled for a vote today, with both government and opposition parties expressing support. Levin stated that the authority to impose and carry out death sentences already exists and that the army has begun necessary preparations to start the trials soon.

The proposed legislation calls for the creation of special military tribunals to try suspects on charges such as genocide, threats to state sovereignty, and terrorism. It also prohibits the release of convicted individuals through prisoner exchange deals. Knesset Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman said the law sends a clear message to Israel’s enemies that the state will neither forget nor forgive such crimes.

Israel previously passed a law in March allowing the death penalty for terrorism, but it could not be applied retroactively. If enacted, this new bill would enable executions for the October 7 suspects and mark the country’s first use of capital punishment since 1962.