The Knesset on Monday night overwhelmingly approved final passage of legislation establishing a legal framework to prosecute Hamas terrorists and collaborators involved in the October 7 massacre, including the possibility of capital punishment for those convicted.

The bill passed its second and third readings with broad support across the political spectrum, receiving 93 votes in favor. The legislation is designed to enable Israeli courts to try perpetrators of the October 7 atrocities for crimes committed during the Hamas-led assault.

Under the new law, the harshest sentence available to the courts will be the death penalty.

Lawmakers also approved a significant amendment introduced by MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionist Party and MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beytenu. The provision states that terrorists convicted under the law will never be eligible for release, including במסגרת future hostage or prisoner exchange agreements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin praised the legislation following its passage, saying it fulfills Israel’s obligation to pursue justice for the victims of the massacre.

“This law ensures that the terrorists and their accomplices will stand trial and face justice, including the imposition of death sentences. From the depths of the horrific massacre we have risen – for the memory of the murdered, for their families, for those wounded in body and soul, for those who were taken hostage, and for the entire nation – to fulfill our supreme moral obligation: to bring the perpetrators of this ghastly slaughter to justice. I thank Constitution Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman, MK Yulia Malinovsky, and all those involved in the vital work of advancing this legislation.”

Rothman described the vote as a historic moment for the State of Israel and said the law sends a direct message to Israel’s enemies.

“Tonight, the State of Israel took a historic step toward justice and national remembrance. The law to prosecute Nukhba terrorists has passed, sending a sharp and clear message to our enemies: anyone who slaughtered, murdered, raped, and kidnapped Israeli citizens will be tried and will pay the ultimate price. The State of Israel will neither forget nor forgive. This is a moral debt to the victims, the bereaved families, the hostages, and the entire people of Israel. The whole world will see, hear, and know exactly what cruel evil the State of Israel faced on October 7, and how it is holding that evil accountable.”

MK Yulia Malinovsky said the legislation marks a turning point nearly three years after the massacre and compared the future proceedings to the historic trials of Nazi war criminals.

“Nearly three years later, the path to justice has finally been paved. The law to prosecute the October 7 terrorists passed its final readings in the plenum with an unprecedented level of consensus. The clock is ticking for those who harmed the State of Israel, and these modern-day Eichmann trials will take place in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem. This law is a matter of history and national legacy. I dedicate this legislation to the victims, the hostages, their families, and every citizen living in this land. Am Yisrael Chai!”

{Matzav.com}