Israel has only twice used the death penalty against a convicted prisoner, the last being over sixty years ago to execute Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. Following the devastating attacks led by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Israel's deadliest day, a political push is underway to implement a new capital punishment law that would apply to Palestinians convicted of fatal terrorist attacks. This proposed legislation has garnered strong backing from the far-right, who claim it is a moral and defensive measure. Zvika Fogel, the chair of the parliamentary national security committee, states, 'To bring in the death penalty is the most moral, the most Jewish, and the most decent thing.' However, the lack of similar punitive measures for Jewish perpetrators raises concerns among human rights advocates, who describe the bill as one of the most extreme proposals in Israeli history. They argue that it would institutionalize 'racialized capital punishment.'

The parliamentary discussions have been charged, with testimonies from both victims' families and human rights groups, illuminating the divided opinions surrounding this issue. Dr. Valentina Gusak, a bereaved mother whose daughter was killed in the October attacks, supports the bill, emphasizing its potential preventive effects against future violence. Contrastingly, opponents like Aida Touma-Suleiman warn that it could exacerbate revenge sentiments and violate Jewish laws and international agreements. As the legislation progresses, it reflects shifting public sentiments towards punitive measures in Israel, amidst concerns that it will disproportionately affect Palestinians while failing to address broader societal injustices.