Prisoner Execution Vows
Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Vows Prisoner Executions and Gaza Migration Plans
Anonymous
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted footage of himself confronting Palestinian prisoner Hassan Salameh, telling him he wants him executed. Salameh has been imprisoned since 1996 and was convicted in connection with deadly Hamas bombings that year. Ben-Gvir said that if appointed defense minister, he would pursue executions of Palestinian prisoners and promote what he calls the voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank; Palestinians and Arab states have rejected such relocation proposals. His Jewish Power party says it will seek the defense and justice portfolios as a condition of joining a future government. The remarks come after the Knesset approved legislation allowing capital punishment for Palestinian prisoners in certain cases, a measure backed by Ben-Gvir that drew criticism and protests.
Key Points
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In the footage, Ben-Gvir said the prison conditions were ones he had imposed on Salameh, adding, “These are the conditions I gave you. But it’s not the end. I want to kill you. I want to put you to death.” He also said, “here I’m responsible for hell.”
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Ben-Gvir described the prison encounter as a personal “full-circle” moment, recalling that he had protested as a teenager after the 1996 attacks. He said he felt “closure” and could now lead a policy that had “turned [Salameh’s] life into hell.”
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The 1996 attacks included two suicide bombings on Jerusalem’s Route 18: one on February 25 killed 24 people, and another on March 3 killed 20. A separate attack at Ashkelon Junction on February 25 killed IDF soldier Hofit Ayesh.
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Ben-Gvir has previously posted videos berating Palestinian prisoners and promoting harsher prison conditions; some were removed after criticism that they could amount to illegal use of government facilities for election propaganda. Rights groups have challenged aspects of his prison policies, while the Israel Prison Service has denied allegations of systematic abuse.
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