'Israeli' lawmakers seek death penalty for ‘hundreds’ of Palestinians over October 7 events

• A bill introduced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin would impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused over the October 7 events.
• The proposal is set for a Knesset vote with backing from both coalition and opposition parties.

‘Israel’s’ Justice Minister Yariv Levin has presented legislation seeking to impose the death penalty and hold public trials for Palestinians accused of involvement in the October 7, 2023 events on southern ‘Israel’, according to ‘Israeli’ media.

The bill is scheduled for a vote in the Knesset on Monday and is reported to have support from both ruling coalition and opposition parties.

Levin said the proposed legislation would allow capital punishment to be fully carried out if imposed.

“Since there is full authority to impose the death penalty, any such penalty, if imposed, will also be executed,” he said.

He added that the measure could apply to a large number of defendants.

“We are talking about hundreds of defendants. I am confident that the army has taken the lead in implementing procedures and will know how to do everything required so that we see the trials begin soon,” he said.

Simcha Rothman said the legislation is intended to send what he described as a strong deterrent message.

He said the law would show that ‘Israel’ “will not stand idly by, will not forget or forgive, and will punish with the most severe penalties provided for in the law, including the death penalty.”

In April, ‘Israel’ advanced separate legislation focused on imposing the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of carrying out fatal attacks.

The latest proposal marks a broader effort to formalize capital punishment measures tied specifically to October 7-related cases.