Overview
- The ministerial National Security committee and the Knesset National Security Committee approved moving the measure to its first Knesset reading, the first of three required votes.
- The bill would allow military courts to impose a death sentence by simple majority and would bar any reduction of a finalized capital sentence.
- Draft language states that a terrorist who murders an Israeli citizen for racist or hostile motives would be sentenced to death as the sole punishment.
- Hostage affairs coordinator Gal Hirsch said he now supports the bill and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backs it, citing the return of all living hostages.
- Security representatives, including from the Shin Bet, expressed principled support in a closed session, while some urged retaining limited judicial discretion that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposes.