Israel minister unveils gallows facility for Palestinians convicted of terrorism amid criticism

Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has shared video footage showing the construction of a gallows facility intended to execute Palestinians convicted of terrorism in military courts.

In the clip seen by TNX Africa, Ben-Gvir said the execution facility would include special viewing areas for victims' families.

“There will be a viewing area. The victim of the crime comes and, just like in the US, they see them executed,” he said.

The law underpinning the facility specifically targets Palestinian defendants, with legal provisions restricting the death penalty to those accused of acts intended to deny the existence of the Israeli state. Critics say this effectively shields Jewish extremists from the sentence.

“I promised to worsen the conditions of terrorists in prisons; we kept it. I promised to pass the Death Penalty for Terrorists law; we did. And now the death row and hanging facility are also starting to take shape,” Ben-Gvir said.

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According to media reports, Ben-Gvir has previously celebrated his 50th birthday with a noose-adorned cake and has long championed the mandatory death penalty law passed by the Knesset earlier this year.

The legislation has drawn strong condemnation from global leaders and human rights organisations, which have criticised it as discriminatory and contrary to international legal standards.

This is not the first time Ben-Gvir has sparked controversy with statements shared on social media. Earlier this year, a separate clip emerged amid international criticism of the Israeli government after Ben-Gvir called for targeted daily assassinations in Gaza and backed new settlement construction near Jerusalem.

“I think we should be doing 30 to 40 targeted assassinations per night,” Ben-Gvir said. “Not just those who pose an immediate threat. There are people there who don’t deserve to live ... They are not even people,” he added.

The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a major attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking hundreds hostage.

Israel responded with a military offensive in Gaza. More than 73,000 Palestinians, including civilians and fighters, have since been killed, while almost the entire population of Gaza has been displaced from their homes.

More than 1,150 Israeli soldiers and security personnel have also been killed in the conflict.

Although Israel and Hamas agreed to halt major fighting in October 2025, sporadic attacks have continued, while people in Gaza continue to face severe shortages of food, clean water and medical care.