After the Knesset approved a new law, lawmakers Julia Malinovsky and Simcha Rothman toured the Atarot area in northern Jerusalem, where a special court is expected to be built for Hamas militants accused of taking part in the Oct. 7 massacre. The visit came after the legislature passed the measure designed to bring the perpetrators of the attack to trial.
The law defines the crimes committed during the terrorist assault as crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It says the suspects will be tried in a special military court in Jerusalem, which will have the authority to impose the death penalty. If such a sentence is issued, an automatic appeal will be heard by the military appeals court.
The legislation applies to offenses committed between Oct. 7 and Oct. 10, 2023, and to offenses committed against hostages during captivity. It also states that anyone accused or convicted in connection with the massacre cannot be released in future prisoner exchange deals. The court will be empowered to hear cases under the Counter-Terrorism Law, offenses against state sovereignty, and the Genocide Prevention Law.
The judges will be serving or retired judges appointed by the president under the mechanism set out in the law. The court will sit with three judges, while the appeals panel will include, among others, a retired Supreme Court justice, a district court president or deputy president, and other judges with relevant experience. The law also authorizes the defense minister, with the approval of the justice minister and the Constitution Committee, to set procedures for carrying out death sentences. In addition, a dedicated prosecution system and victim-rights mechanisms will be created, and the hearings will be recorded and broadcast to the public on a dedicated website.
