In a tense meeting of the Israeli occupation entity’s political-security cabinet on Thursday, Shin Bet Director David Zini claimed that passing a law to execute Palestinian prisoners “would create deterrence.” The remarks came as lawmakers advanced a bill—initiated by far-right so-called “National Security” Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir—through its second and third readings.
According to Haaretz, which cited a source familiar with the closed‑door discussions, Minister David Amsalem pressed Zini on whether such executions would strengthen deterrence. Zini replied that the measure would be “a highly deterrent tool,” adding that while he would not enter “political or legal considerations,” the security service views the proposal as effective.
Hebrew Channel 13 reported that the Chief of Staff and the head of the Shin Bet supported approving the law for executing Palestinian prisoners during yesterday’s cabinet session.#Israel pic.twitter.com/mb7OCBDhvf
— Al-Jarmaq News (@Aljarmaqnetnews) November 21, 2025
Shift in Shin Bet Position
Zini reportedly informed the government that the Shin Bet now supports the death‑penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners—marking a sharp departure from the long‑standing opposition of previous Shin Bet chiefs. The newspaper quoted security officials claiming the shift was not driven by the change in leadership but by what they described as “a changed security reality.”
They argued that earlier resistance stemmed from fears that Palestinian groups would retaliate by killing Israeli captives but asserted—according to the paper’s sources—that with “no living hostages remaining in Hamas custody,” such concerns no longer apply, and that Israel can now “advance a law that deters attackers,” using their terminology.
The source added that the army’s representative told the cabinet the IDF Chief of Staff saw “no objection” to the legislation, provided the death penalty not be mandatory. Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs reportedly endorsed that position.
Internal Warnings and Far-Right Push
During the meeting, Minister Gila Gamliel cautioned that such a law could potentially allow the execution of Jewish citizens. Ben‑Gvir dismissed the concern, insisting executions would target “anyone acting against the rise of the Jewish nation,” in his words. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added that “a Jew working for Iran and committing murder against Israel could be executed.”
The debate highlights the increasingly extreme direction of Israeli policy discussions, with the proposed legislation drawing broad condemnation from Palestinian and human rights advocates, who warn it would deepen the occupation’s longstanding abuses and further entrench a system of apartheid and state violence.
Source: Al-Manar Website
