20.08.2026 18:20
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited a facility he said was built for the execution of Palestinian prisoners sentenced to death, sharing footage of the visit. Ben-Gvir stated that observation booths would also be constructed for the death penalty procedures against Palestinians. His post came amid ongoing international reactions to Israel's new law that discriminates against Palestinians.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared images of the special death row ward and execution facility he said was built to carry out executions of Palestinian prisoners sentenced to death.
“I PROMISED I WOULD WORSEN THEIR CONDITIONS IN PRISONS”
In a video filmed in an undisclosed location showing the foundations of the facility, Ben-Gvir said this is where 'terrorists will be executed.'
In his post on social media, Ben-Gvir wrote, “I promised I would worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons – I kept my word. I promised I would pass the death penalty law for terrorists – we passed it. And now the death cell and execution facility are also beginning to take shape.”
Ben-Gvir also said that observation booths would be built for those who want to watch the executions of Palestinian prisoners.
In photos published in Israeli media, a bulldozer and heavy machinery were seen at the site, and the construction area, surrounded by a security cordon, was near a prison.
DEATH PENALTY FOR PALESTINIAN PRISONERS
With the regulation adopted in Israel this year, the way was opened for the application of the death penalty to Palestinian prisoners convicted in military courts.
Within the scope of the regulation, military courts are expected to impose the death penalty unless there are special circumstances requiring a life sentence.
It is stated that the regulation is limited to crimes committed with the aim of denying the existence of the state of Israel. Israeli Jews are mostly excluded from the scope of the law.
THE LAW DREW REACTIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
The death penalty regulation adopted in the Israeli parliament caused international criticism on the grounds that it contains discrimination against Palestinians.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, senior director at Amnesty International, argued that the regulation weakens the right to life and fair trial guarantees and strengthens discriminatory practices against Palestinians after its adoption.
HIS PAST IS ALSO CONTROVERSIAL
Ben-Gvir, one of the strongest advocates of Israel's new death penalty law, has long been on the agenda with his extremist rhetoric and provocative statements.
It is stated that Ben-Gvir was previously convicted of incitement to racism, interfering with a police officer performing his duty, and supporting Meir Kahane's banned Kach movement.
Ben-Gvir has been serving as Israel's national security minister since 2022, except for a period of about two months last year.
REACTIONS FROM THE UN AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO BEN-GVIR
Ben-Gvir had also come to the fore recently with his statements arguing that 30-40 people should be targeted and killed in a single night in Gaza.
The Israeli minister's words drew reactions from the United Nations and countries such as France and Germany. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described Ben-Gvir's statements as 'unacceptable and inhumane,' while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also assessed the remarks as 'contrary to international law.'
UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized Ben-Gvir's statements as 'horrifying,' 'scandalous,' 'inhumane,' and 'dangerous.'
Ben-Gvir's images of the execution facility came to the fore at a time when international criticism of Israel's policies in Gaza and the West Bank is increasing.