Rom Braslavsky, a former Israeli soldier who was released after being held hostage in Gaza, said he wanted to take part personally in the executions of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would do everything in his power to make that request a reality.
During a podcast interview with Ben-Gvir on Saturday evening, Braslavsky said he wanted to hang Palestinian prisoners himself. Saying he would prefer to pull the trigger of a gun rather than use a rope, Braslavsky said he wanted to execute all the "terrorists" in Israel with his own hands.
Ben-Gvir promises participation in executions
In response to Braslavsky’s request, Ben-Gvir said he would do everything necessary to fulfill it and would "shake the world." The minister described having Braslavsky present at the site of the executions as one of his greatest dreams.
Ben-Gvir said the execution method would be hanging and that it was included in the new law. Telling Braslavsky that he was the "right person" for a series of executions, the minister argued that Palestinian prisoners did not deserve to live.
Conditions of detention for Palestinian prisoners
Ben-Gvir also discussed changes made to the detention conditions of Palestinian prisoners since late 2022, when he took office. The minister said he had seen jam, chocolate, televisions, table tennis and meat during prison visits, and that he continuously monitored the Prison Service.
Ben-Gvir said the current conditions were completely different from those in the past and that the prisoners were in a difficult situation. He said he was pleased with the hardship experienced by the prisoners. The minister claimed that this could provide a form of compensation for the great suffering endured by Braslavsky and the other hostages.
Death penalty law passed at the end of March
Israel’s parliament passed a bill submitted by the Jewish Power party, led by Ben-Gvir, at the end of March. The law provides for the hanging of Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis if a military court determines that the act was "terrorism" or that the crime was committed with the motivation of denying Israel’s existence.
Measures concerning food and medical care were also changed as part of the tightening of detention conditions for Palestinian prisoners.
