Israeli Security Minister Says Gallows Being Built for Palestinian Death Row Inmates

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a prominent figure in Israel's governing coalition and Minister of National Security, stated on the 18th (local time) that gallows are being built for Palestinian prisoners sentenced to death.

In a video posted on his Telegram channel, Ben-Gvir said, "I promised to worsen the detention conditions for terrorists inside prisons, and I carried it out. I promised to pass a death penalty law for terrorists, and that was passed as well. And now, the death row cell block and gallows are taking shape."

Although the background of the video was blurred, a structure made of wood and steel under a blue tent was partially captured.

He added that the facility will feature "an observation area where victims and their families can witness the execution process, in accordance with standard procedures in many countries," and guaranteed that visitation permits will also be granted.

In March, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) passed a bill making the death penalty mandatory for Palestinians from the West Bank convicted by military courts of lethal attacks classified as terrorism.

Under this law, which does not fundamentally apply to Israeli citizens tried in civilian courts rather than military courts, executions must be carried out within 90 days of sentencing.

Ben-Gvir, a resident of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank with past convictions related to terrorism, raised his voice, saying, "We are making history. There is only one price terrorists deserve, and that is hanging."

He also recently sparked controversy by appearing on a podcast and stating, "Israel must kill 30 to 40 Palestinians every night in the Gaza Strip."

Ben-Gvir has frequently and openly boasted about harsh prison conditions for Palestinian prisoners.

According to data from the Israeli non-governmental organization (NGO) Physicians for Human Rights, at least 104 prisoners have died in custody since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023.

Many of them are known to have died due to torture, medical neglect, and food deprivation.

In addition, since Ben-Gvir took office as minister in 2022, the number of firearm licenses issued to Israelis under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of National Security has increased by 126%.

Much of the weaponry distributed in this manner has ended up in the hands of Jewish settlers who are at the forefront of threatening Palestinian families in the West Bank.

(Photo: Capture from Ben-Gvir's Telegram channel, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.