The National Security Committee met today (Sunday) to debate the proposed legislation on the death penalty for terrorists.

The explanatory notes to the bill state: "A terrorist who is convicted of murder motivated by racism or hostility toward the public, and in circumstances where the act was committed with the aim of harming the State of Israel and the resurrection of the Jewish people in its land, will receive a mandatory death sentence."

Participants in the discussion included the Minister of National Security, MK Itamar Ben-Gvir; MK Limor Son Har-Melech; representatives from the Ministry of Justice; and officials from the security establishment, including Shin Bet and the IDF.

Committee Chairman, MK Tzvika Foghel, opened the discussion by saying: “I have heard the situation assessments and Mr. Hirsch’s opinions, and I do not accept them. We cannot continue with this current concept. The death penalty for terrorists is not revenge—it is justice.”

During the discussion, Ben-Gvir noted that he had received a request from the Prime Minister’s Office to cancel the debate, but he declined.

Gal Hirsch, the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons, opposed the law at this stage, stating during the debate: "I would like to say in the context of my role as the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons among all state bodies and international entities - I object to the date of the discussion when there are 48 kidnapped men and women, and when, to the best of my knowledge, 20 of them are alive, and there is serious concern for the lives of two. I do not represent a personal position - I represent the issue, the families of the kidnapped."

Ben Gvir replied: "You don't represent all the families, and you know it. There are families who don't think that way." Hirsch replied: "I'm not presenting my personal opinion, I wish I could do that. I represent the prisoners. In accordance with my professional assessment and that of all the members of the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons office - because I include everyone - I have requested several times, both in the past, two weeks ago and this morning, and I asked the Prime Minister that this law not reach the plenary until there is a discussion in the cabinet where I can reflect all the professional assessments that I cannot present here."