Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to execute Palestinian prisoners if he wins a place in the cabinet again after Israel’s upcoming election. He said he would carry out executions of such prisoners if given responsibility for the defense ministry.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported the information Monday.
A video posted on social media platform X shows Ben-Gvir speaking with Palestinian prisoner Hassan Salameh in prison. At one point, addressing Salameh, he said, “I want to give you the death penalty.”
In a statement published with the video, Ben-Gvir made his position clearer. He said that if he becomes defense minister, he will “ensure the death penalty” for prisoners such as Salameh.
In the same statement, Ben-Gvir said not only that prisoners should be executed but also that the policy of removing Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank should continue.
Hassan Salameh has been imprisoned in Israel since 1996. He was convicted in several deadly bombing cases in the 1990s and was sentenced to multiple life terms.
The Palestinian armed group Hamas responded to the video published by Ben-Gvir, saying it was a direct “death threat” against Salameh. The group also condemned the incident.
Ben-Gvir’s remarks before the election have renewed debate over Israel’s prisoner policy. They have also intensified debate over the future of Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report