The State Prosecution has decided not to request the death penalty for the Silwan terrorist gang. State Attorney officials noted, however, that they have the legal right to ask for the death sentence against citizens convicted of aiding the enemy during wartime. The terrorists in question, Arabs with Israeli citizenship, are accused of responsibility for the murder of no less than 35 people in the Cafe Moment, Hebrew University and Rishon LeTzion attacks. They are also charged with planning a mega-attack at a gas storage facility that could have incinerated scores of thousands of Israelis near Tel Aviv.
Some family members of the victims were present outside the courtroom today, demanding that the death penalty be imposed. "Revenge against the enemy is permitted, and is even obligatory," one bereaved mother cried out, "so that others will be deterred... Let them not think that they can come and murder Jews in the Jewish land!"
Knesset Law Committee Michael Eitan (Likud), speaking with Arutz-7, responded that the terrorists must be fought and destroyed on the battlefield, "but that a terrorist who has been caught and is in our hands [is different]... Suicide terrorists are clearly not afraid of death. Secondly, each one we put to death will become a hero, and will cause others to want to take his place... Third, each death sentence we pass will take a long while, and invite world pressure, etc. We must fight them on the battlefield..."
Some family members of the victims were present outside the courtroom today, demanding that the death penalty be imposed. "Revenge against the enemy is permitted, and is even obligatory," one bereaved mother cried out, "so that others will be deterred... Let them not think that they can come and murder Jews in the Jewish land!"
Knesset Law Committee Michael Eitan (Likud), speaking with Arutz-7, responded that the terrorists must be fought and destroyed on the battlefield, "but that a terrorist who has been caught and is in our hands [is different]... Suicide terrorists are clearly not afraid of death. Secondly, each one we put to death will become a hero, and will cause others to want to take his place... Third, each death sentence we pass will take a long while, and invite world pressure, etc. We must fight them on the battlefield..."