Israel is constructing gallows for the execution of Palestinians convicted of terrorism-related offenses, a move that includes designated viewing areas for victims' families. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir unveiled the facility this week, with images showing the structures are still under construction.
The law, passed earlier this year, mandates death by hanging for terrorism-related killings and applies specifically to Palestinians. Ben-Gvir stated that the viewing areas are "customary in other countries, including the United States."
"I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons. It was fully carried out. I promised to pass the death penalty law for terrorists. That's done. I promised to establish a [hanging] facility. And that's carried out," Ben-Gvir said in a video filmed at the site. He added, "We are making history. Terrorists deserve only one thing: death by hanging."
Human rights organizations and legal experts have condemned the development, labeling it a "two-tier justice system" that violates fundamental rights to life, dignity, and equality. According to the Israeli human rights group HaMoked, over 9,300 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons. Of these, approximately 3,200 are detained under administrative detention, a policy allowing for renewable six-month detentions based on classified evidence inaccessible to the detainees and their legal counsel.
These developments follow recent controversial remarks by Ben-Gvir, who reportedly advocated for the killing of "30 to 40" people in Gaza each night. Speaking on a podcast, he criticized Israel's drawdown of strikes in Gaza and suggested that "people there who are not worthy of life" should be targeted. Such statements by Israeli officials have previously drawn international condemnation and have been presented to the U.N.'s world court as evidence of genocidal intent, claims Israel denies.
Ben-Gvir's influence has reportedly grown in Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. Hostage accounts have detailed experiences of starvation, physical and psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. In May, Ben-Gvir also faced international criticism for sharing a video of masked officers aggressively detaining Gaza flotilla activists, which was condemned by leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The upcoming Israeli elections are scheduled for October 27, and domestic media coverage of Ben-Gvir's recent statements has been notably scarce, suggesting a rise in once-fringe ideologies ahead of the vote.