Israel death penalty debate intensifies

There are legitimate arguments on both sides of the debate regarding Israel’s new death penalty law.

It is true that generally, capital punishment has not proven to be a deterrent, and perhaps even more so in this case, Palestinian terrorists may in fact welcome the “glory” of becoming a “martyr”.

Arguments about Jewish law and the sanctity of life are also compelling. We Jews love life and elevate it to utmost importance, while the monsters of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and others who commit terrorist acts prioritise death. By condemning people to death ourselves, do we Jews not stoop to their level?

Then there is the fact that this new law, which has been championed by far-right Jewish extremists, is a public relations disaster for Israel and a gift for its detractors.

At the same time, it is harrowing for families to see convicted terrorists who murdered their loved ones being freed in exchange for Israeli hostages. Yahya Sinwar was released in the Shalit deal and went on to plan October 7. Sbarro bombing mastermind Ahlam Tamimi lives freely as a celebrity in Jordan.