Controversial death penalty and foreign media bills clear first reading in Israel’s parliament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the plenum of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, on November 10, 2025. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

The Israeli parliament advanced two controversial bills on Monday, including one that would expand the use of the death penalty for convicted “terrorists” and individuals found guilty of nationalistically motivated murder.

The death penalty bill, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, passed its first reading by 39 votes to 16. It now moves to a parliamentary committee for further debate and preparation ahead of the second and third readings.

Ben Gvir has argued the measure would “ create substantial deterrence ” against terrorism and he threatened to withdraw his party from Israel’s coalition govern