OPINIONS
Wed 22 Nov 2023 11:07 am - Jerusalem Time
Israeli death penalty bill exists de facto
The session held by the Israeli Knesset on Monday, during which it discussed the draft law presented by the extremist Minister of Internal Security, Ben Gvir, imposing the death penalty on Palestinians who cause the death of Israelis, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and on a nationalistic grounds, is a draft law that, if it indicates anything, it indicates clearly that the Israelis have a killing mentality against the Palestinians and against the Gentiles, that is, the non-Jews.
This is on the one hand, and on the other hand, by enacting this law, if it is enacted, it is as if what the occupying state is carrying out through its army and herds of settlers of genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip and the killing and burning acts that are taking place against our people in the West Bank, are not considered executions above the law and without trials. Rather, the killings are carried out in cold blood and without regard to any legal, judicial or human rights.
These chilling killings and exterminations, which constitute a disgrace to humanity and the countries that claim democracy and human rights, are taking place in full view of the world, which does not do anything except for some statements of denunciation.
It is true that representatives of the families of Israeli prisoners with Hamas opposed discussing this draft law, and directed broad criticism at Ben Gvir, but what prompted them to do so was not love for the Palestinians nor considerations of international law that prohibits executions, but rather fear for their relatives if it was passed.
It seems that Ben Gvir did not read Palestinian history well. The British mandate over Palestine, which in reality was colonialism, paved the way for the implementation of the ill-fated Balfour Declaration to establish the so-called national homeland for the Jews in Palestine. He executed hundreds, or even thousands of Palestinians to the point that whoever owned a single Palestinian bullet was sentenced to death. However, these executions did not stop the Palestinian revolutions against Britain, especially the 1936 revolution, during which a general strike was declared and lasted for six months.
Even if Ben Gvir’s draft law was approved, despite the fact that what is happening on the ground by the occupation forces, the herds of settlers, and the war on Gaza, is executions and extermination, this has not and will not prevent our people from continuing to demand their inalienable national rights, foremost of which is the right of return, self-determination, and establishment of their independent state, with its capital, Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
On the contrary, the adoption of such a law will increase their determination to adhere to their land and their inalienable national rights and to make more sacrifices on their altar until the occupation leaves their homeland.
The draft law and other laws will not intimidate our people or discourage them from their goals of liberation and independence.
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Israeli death penalty bill exists de facto