Ben Gvir appoints six bereaved family members as official overseers of death penalty law for terrorists

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir signed the appointment of six bereaved family members from the "Choosing Life" forum as official inspectors under the death penalty law for terrorists, the minister's office announced. The appointees include Hertzel Hajaj, father of late Deputy Shir Hajaj who was killed in the Armon Hanatziv ramming attack, and Boaz Kukia, father of late Sgt. Ron Kukia who was killed in a terror attack in Arad. The role grants oversight and monitoring powers over the law's implementation, including visiting prisoners sentenced to death and supervising execution procedures.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has officially appointed six bereaved family members as "official inspectors" under Israel's death penalty law for terrorists, formalizing a plan the minister confirmed earlier today. The appointees, drawn from the "Choosing Life" forum of bereaved families, include Hertzel Hajaj and Boaz Kukia, whose children were killed in terror attacks. Under the law, the inspectors have authority to monitor the conditions of prisoners sentenced to death and to be present during the execution of the sentence. As The Zioneer reported at 09:11, Ben Gvir had confirmed the plan in a media statement earlier this morning. The minister described the move as part of a broader policy shift to strengthen deterrence and ensure that those who murder Jews face the harshest consequences, adding that bereaved families are the most qualified to oversee the law's application. The appointment follows years of advocacy by the families, who have campaigned against what they describe as overly generous conditions for incarcerated terrorists.

4 developments

1. 33 minutes ago · 10:30 · 17 JunLatest

   Appointees include Hertzel Hajaj and Boaz Kukia, fathers of fallen soldiers.

2. 09:30 · 17 Jun

   Ben Gvir signed the official appointment of six specific bereaved family members.

3. 09:11 · 17 Jun

   Minister Ben Gvir officially confirms the plan following initial media reports

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