Smotrich reportedly tells cabinet Jew who works for Iran can be executed under death penalty bill

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that a Jew who works on behalf of Iran could be executed under proposed legislation bringing in the death penalty for terrorism, according to leaked quotes from last night’s security cabinet meeting reported by the Ynet news site.

At the meeting, Shin Bet chief David Zini told ministers that bringing in the death penalty for terrorists is the best deterrent against attacks, according to the quotes.

A representative of the Israel Defense Forces told ministers that the military did not oppose the measure, but is in favor of not making it a mandatory punishment, Ynet reports.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has long championed the idea of the death penalty for terrorists, said “it must be a mandatory punishment,” according to Ynet.

“First of all, because of the attorney general and prosecutors. Everyone knows they will never ask for the death penalty and even if we instruct them, they will tell us that we are not allowed to interfere in sentencing policy. I don’t trust them,” he said, according to the report.

“But Jewish citizens can also be executed,” Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel reportedly responded.

“Whoever acts against the existence of the Jewish people,” Ben Gvir replied, the report says.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich reportedly added, “Yes, a Jew that acts on behalf of Iran against the State of Israel can be executed.”