Israel Builds Execution Facility For Palestinians, Includes Booths For Victims’ Families

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sparked renewed controversy after publicising the construction of a facility intended to carry out executions of Palestinians convicted of terrorism offences. Ben-Gvir posted a video showing the construction site and said the facility would include viewing booths allowing relatives of victims to witness executions. The development has drawn attention because of the government's policy on the death penalty for terrorism-related convictions and the minister's outspoken support for harsher prison measures.

In the video, posted on the official Instagram account of Ben-Gvir's far-right Otzma Yehudit party, the minister is shown visiting an unidentified location where construction work is reportedly underway. Pointing towards the site, he said it was where "terrorists will be executed". Ben-Gvir also used the video to highlight measures he said he had promised to introduce regarding prisoners convicted of terrorism offences, presenting the construction of the execution facility as the latest step in that policy.

"I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons -- we kept it," Ben-Gvir said in the video. He also referred to legislation concerning the death penalty for terrorists, saying he had promised to pass the measure and that it had been done. According to his comments, the construction of a death-row area and hanging facility was now taking shape. His remarks were framed as an assertion that his government commitments on tougher treatment of terrorism convicts were being implemented.

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Photographs of the location published in Israeli media reportedly showed construction taking place inside a cordoned-off area close to a prison. The precise location of the facility was not identified in the material provided. Ben-Gvir's video did not appear to provide further details about the construction timetable, the number of execution spaces or when the facility could become operational. The reported inclusion of viewing booths has nevertheless added to the controversy surrounding the project and its intended use.

The policy described by Ben-Gvir is specifically directed at Palestinians convicted of terrorism offences, according to the information available. The facility is not intended to apply to Jewish extremists convicted of comparable offences, a distinction that has drawn particular scrutiny. The issue comes amid longstanding political and legal debate in Israel over capital punishment for terrorism-related crimes, with supporters presenting executions as a deterrent while opponents raise concerns about discrimination, due process and the broader implications of state-sanctioned executions.

Ben-Gvir has previously faced international condemnation and sanctions over his political activities and statements. His latest intervention is consistent with his longstanding advocacy for tougher measures against Palestinian prisoners convicted of security offences. By publicly displaying the construction site and describing its intended purpose, the minister has again placed the issue of capital punishment at the centre of political debate.

The development also comes against the backdrop of the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which questions surrounding terrorism convictions, prison conditions and the treatment of Palestinian detainees remain highly contentious. The proposed execution facility could intensify debate over Israel's approach to terrorism-related offences, particularly because of the stated distinction between Palestinian and Jewish offenders. Further details about the facility, its legal basis and its operational status would be required to determine how and when executions could be carried out. For now, Ben-Gvir's video has provided a public indication that construction of the reported gallows site is underway.

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