Ruptly
"Knesset lawmaker Ofer Cassif attacked the new 'death penalty' legislation for Palestinian 'terrorists' as 'barbaric', as the parliament looked set to approve it on Monday. "This is sheer barbarism and everything behind it. You know, look, it has nothing to do, neither with security or morality," he claimed, before saying it was more about politics. "It is full of populism. The timing is not a coincidence. We just approaching the elections… So this is the main campaign of this barbaric faction." The legislation covers 'execution by hanging' for 'terrorists' tried in military courts. Palestinians in the West Bank are tried by military courts - and would face a mandatory death sentence, by simply majority, and with limited appeals. Cassif added that 'unfortunately' he did feel there was a majority in Israel in favour - but said that strength of feeling was also 'very dynamic' and blamed the government for whipping up the rhetoric. "The government of Israel, with support of some elements in the opposition… they encourage they've been encouraging such a a feeling, a such a revenge and hatred, a discourse. So the blame should be put on them, not on the people at large. But at the moment we are in a very difficult situation and very dangerous one," he said. He also said the new law itself - 'ironically' - would not cover those involved in the October 7 attacks - and said that ordinary Palestinians in the West Bank shoud be tried in 'civil, ordinary' courts' rather than a 'special, let alone military one'. The legislations is spearheaded by the Jewish Power party, with support from Likud and Yisrael Beitenu groups. Cassif is a member of the Communist Party, representing the Hadash group since 2019. The death penalty already exists in Israel for war crimes. It was last used in 1962 for Nazi Holocaust mastermind Adolf Eichmann."
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