Overview
- The plenum approved the Otzma Yehudit-backed measure 39–16 on first reading, with two similar proposals also passing 36–15 and 37–14 as much of the opposition boycotted except Yisrael Beytenu.
- Degel HaTorah voted against following Rabbi Dov Landau’s directive citing a risk of ‘rodef’ and his view that courts would not uphold executions, while Agudat Yisrael lawmakers were expected to skip the vote and Shas remained undecided.
- The bill mandates death for nationalistically motivated murders of Israelis, lets military courts impose the sentence by regular majority rather than unanimously, and removes commanders’ ability to commute a final sentence.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the Knesset National Security Committee, chaired by MK Tzvika Fogel, will fast-track the legislation, and he drew attention by handing out baklavas in the plenum after the vote.
- The Choosing Life forum of bereaved families urged Haredi MKs not to oppose the measure, and hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch said he now supports the bill and that the prime minister backs it.