Hamas Threats Confirm Worst Incitement Fears After Israel’s Death Penalty Laws |
Various reputable media outlets recently reported that Hamas leadership has called for the kidnapping of IDF soldiers following the two death penalty laws for convicted terrorists that the Knesset passed since the start of the year. Tragically, and as expected, this development only confirms the worst fears that opponents of Israel’s renewed execution push – including the thousands of members of our group “L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty” in Israel and across the world – have articulated time and again. Hamas’ most recent response is horrendous proof positive that these laws jeopardize the safety and security of Jews across the globe.
Hamas’ Response, like the Death Penalty Itself, Perpetuates the Cycle of Violence
Despite this clear-cut evidence that judicial state killings would only encourage reprisal, many proponents of these execution laws have since doubled-down on their pro-death stance. Various advocates of execution have responded to Hamas’ threats by stating that Israel therefore should hang all imprisoned terrorists. In doing so, they fail to consider how such actions would only further perpetuate the cycle of violence. A closer examination of Hamas’ recent monstrous threat unequivocally demonstrates.
In the document that was released, Hamas leadership stated clearly that it is planning to intensify efforts to kidnap Israeli soldiers. The terrorist group framed these proposed kidnappings as the only effective means of securing the release of Palestinian prisoners facing execution, according to an internal message published Monday by Israeli Public Broadcaster KAN News. The letter, circulated internally among Hamas operatives in Gaza, came after the Knesset passed the second of two laws that would impose the death penalty on convicted terrorists.
Hamas described the most recent of these death penalty laws as a “fascist law,” and urged members of the organization’s military wing to escalate and carry out “active operations.” The internal........