Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has shared a video showing the construction of a gallows complex where Palestinians convicted of terror offences by the military courts system would be hanged. In the post, Ben-Gvir said the site would include viewing areas for relatives of victims to watch the executions. The minister toured an unidentified location, pointing at foundations being laid as heavy construction work continued in a cordoned-off area, reported to be near a prison. Ben-Gvir, who has been the subject of international sanctions and criticism, used the video to say he had delivered on plans to tighten punishment for “terrorists” and to advance legislation on the death penalty. He referenced earlier pledges to “worsen” conditions for detainees convicted of terror offences and said the death row and hanging facility were now being built. Death Penalty Law Narrowly AppliesReports on the gallows construction follow the passage earlier this year of a law requiring military courts to impose the death penalty as the only sentence available for specified terror-related murder cases, unless judges identify special circumstances that allow life imprisonment. Under the framework, Palestinian defendants tried in the military court system could face execution, while Jewish extremists are effectively shielded from the death penalty. The distinction comes from a clause that limits the law to murders committed with the intent to “deny the existence of the state of Israel”. Amnesty International said the law dismantled safeguards intended to prevent arbitrary deprivation of life and accused it of empowering discrimination against Palestinians. The death penalty legislation was among two laws passed by Israeli MPs this year after a Knesset vote of 62 to 48, drawing widespread international condemnation. Ben-Gvir’s Record and Calls for ViolenceBen-Gvir has a history of controversial statements and was convicted on charges including incitement to racism, interfering with a police officer carrying out duties, and supporting a terrorist organisation linked to Meir Kahane’s banned Kach movement. He has served as national security minister since 2022, except for a two-month period last year. In May, he marked his 50th birthday with a cake decorated with an iced image of a noose, according to Israeli media. More recently, he faced renewed condemnation after comments advocating punitive killings in Gaza. He said he believed there should be “30 to 40 targeted assassinations per night”, adding that people he described as not posing an immediate threat “don’t deserve to live”. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the remarks were “unacceptable and inhuman”. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said he strongly condemned what he described as “inhumane appeals” by the minister that violate international law. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, also criticised the comments as appalling, outrageous, dehumanising and dangerous. Wider International Criticism Over SettlementsThe video emerged as international criticism of Israel’s policies has widened, including new tenders for the E1 settlement block outside Jerusalem. The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, described the E1 move as “unacceptable and destructive”, warning it could separate the West Bank from East Jerusalem. He summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires in protest. Miliband said the UK opposes E1 privately and publicly and supports a two-state solution as the only route to long-term security for both Palestinians and Israelis, adding that settlements damage that prospect and breach international law. Join the discussion? 21 August 2026
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