Today, the State of Israel has taken a historic and necessary step in the global fight against terrorism.

The passage of the law allowing for the death penalty for terrorists who commit premeditated, nationalistically motivated acts of murder sends a clear message: those who seek to annihilate our people will no longer find refuge behind prison bars.

In the wake of the horrific atrocities of October 7, the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the reality has fundamentally changed. We are no longer facing conventional threats, but perpetrators of systematic slaughter, rape, and torture against innocent civilians.

A society that values life must possess the moral courage to impose the ultimate penalty on those who seek its destruction.

Israel remains a robust democracy, deeply committed to the rule of law and to its independent judicial system.

To our friends and allies in the international community, we emphasize that this law is a specific and targeted measure against mass-casualty terrorism. It is subject to a rigorous judicial process, including a high evidentiary threshold, legal representation, and the right to appeal to the highest courts.

Furthermore, this law ensures that those who carry out such heinous acts of terror will no longer be used as bargaining chips in future extortion attempts, thereby reducing incentives for further kidnappings.

The State of Israel stands at the forefront of the free world’s struggle against radical terrorism. We expect the international community to recognize our sovereign right and duty to protect our citizens and to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

We uphold the value of life by ensuring that those who seek to take it are brought to justice.