Netanyahu Backs Death Penalty for Terrorist in First Test of New Law

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly declared his support for imposing the death penalty on a terrorist responsible for a deadly shooting attack near the settlement of Neve Tsuf, which killed Natanel Shicron. The statement came during a condolence call to the victim's family, after Shicron's son, Yoav, who survived the attack, asked the Prime Minister if the state would seek the execution of the perpetrator.

"This is precisely why we enacted the law; it is essential that the justice system immediately act to implement it," Netanyahu told the bereaved son. This marks the first time the Prime Minister has explicitly called for the practical and immediate application of the death penalty law for terrorists in a specific case.

Netanyahu's stance aligns with calls from Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had previously demanded the death penalty in a security discussion. Following Netanyahu's statement, a group of Likud lawmakers is preparing to approach the military prosecution, urging them to seek a death sentence in the indictment.

The attack occurred near the Ein Ra'aya spring before Yom Kippur. The terrorist, identified as a 37-year-old Hamas member from the Bir Zeit area, opened fire on Shicron and his son. Shicron was critically wounded and later died at Bilinson Hospital. The assailant was apprehended by Israeli forces in Ramallah shortly after the incident.

The legal proceedings against the terrorist could serve as the first precedent for the new law, passed by the Knesset in March and effective since April. The updated legislation mandates a death sentence for terrorists from Judea and Samaria who commit intentional murder, unless exceptional circumstances are found by the court. The law also removes the requirement for a unanimous decision or an explicit request from the prosecution and prohibits granting clemency to those sentenced to death.