Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir at the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) in Jerusalem on March 30, after the vote on the law instituting the death penalty for Palestinians who commit acts of terrorism. ITAY COHEN/AP
T
he image was appalling, overwhelming: On March 30, after the vote on the law that reactivates the death penalty in Israel, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir opened a bottle of champagne. For many of my fellow citizens, this moment of celebration was a day of anger and rage, a mark of disgrace, a symbol of shame. Let us be honest: In the current climate, when millions of Israelis are forced into shelters day and night, it is very difficult to argue for the right to life for Palestinian terrorists.
It is therefore not for the crimes committed that I oppose the death penalty they now face, but rather in spite of them. The establishment of the death penalty as the default sanction must be condemned on principle – not because the hoped-for deterrence will fail, not because Israel will be further misunderstood internationally or because of the discrimination enshrined in law between Israelis and Palestinians. I would be no less opposed to it if the law were genuinely deterrent, universal in scope and had no significant impact on Israel's image.
