Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has sparked widespread controversy after being filmed advocating for the execution of Palestinian detainees during a visit to an Israeli prison. In a now-viral video, Ben Gvir, a far-right politician, is seen standing in front of a cell, declaring that Palestinian prisoners ‘deserve a death penalty law.’ The footage also shows several Palestinian detainees shackled and kneeling in stress positions, their backs to the camera. This incident coincides with the Israeli parliament’s preparation to debate a series of contentious bills, including one that would impose the death penalty on individuals convicted of terrorism. Ben Gvir, who oversees prison affairs, has long championed harsher measures against Palestinian detainees, including the death penalty and severe prison conditions. Under his supervision, reports of abuse, torture, starvation, and sexual assault against Palestinian prisoners have surged, particularly since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. Recent accounts reveal that 80 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since the conflict began. Despite opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben Gvir’s death penalty bill received preliminary approval last month. On Saturday, he reiterated his demand, calling for ‘the death penalty law for terrorists – now.’ Palestinian prisoners’ rights groups, including the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, condemned the bill as an ‘unprecedented act of savagery.’ They argue that the legislation aims to legalize the ongoing killing of prisoners, reflecting the ‘unprecedented level of savagery’ practiced by the Israeli occupation system. International human rights organizations have also criticized Israel’s counter-terrorism laws, warning that they are often applied to legitimate human rights and humanitarian work. Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet emphasized in 2021 that advocating for rights or providing legal aid should not be equated with terrorism. The situation underscores the deepening humanitarian crisis and the escalating tensions in the region.