Free Republic

A bill proposing the death penalty for “terrorists” passed a first reading in Israel’s parliament on Monday – a measure that could apply to Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis. The amendment to the penal code, demanded by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and approved by the National Security Committee, was approved by 39 votes to 16. It must pass a second and third reading before becoming law. The vote went ahead amid a tense truce with Hamas in the Gaza war that had raged since October 7, 2023. While the death penalty exists for a small...