TEL AVIV, Israel, May 12 (ANI) — Knesset on Monday passed legislation establishing a special military tribunal to prosecute Palestinian militants accused of involvement in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
The report said the bill was approved with 93 votes in favor and none opposed, reflecting broad bipartisan support in the Israeli parliament.
The legislation was jointly introduced by Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party and opposition lawmaker Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beytenu.
The law establishes a special court within Israel’s military justice system to try nearly 300 alleged militants captured by Israeli forces during the Oct. 7 attacks who have remained in detention since then.
Under the legislation, the tribunal will have the authority to prosecute suspects on charges including genocide under Israel’s 1950 Law for the Prevention of Genocide, harming Israeli sovereignty, causing war, assisting an enemy during wartime, and terrorism-related offenses under Israel’s 2016 anti-terror law.
According to the report, defendants convicted of genocide charges could face the death penalty.
Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin described the passage of the legislation as “one of the most important moments of the current Knesset.”
“One can feel that we are doing the right thing by finding a way to unite at this moment, even though we are on the eve of elections and despite all the disagreements that exist,” Levin said, according to The Times of Israel.
Rothman described the tribunal as a “historic framework” intended to “deliver justice and bring to trial the terrorists who carried out the worst massacre in the state’s history.”
Malinovsky said the proceedings would become “the trials of the modern-day Nazis” and dedicated the legislation to the victims, hostages, and their families.
According to The Times of Israel, between 5,000 and 6,000 Palestinian militants, primarily from Hamas and other armed groups, entered Israel by land, sea, and air during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks near the Gaza border.
The attacks killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages, many of whom were taken into Gaza.
Israeli authorities have also accused the attackers of committing acts of torture and sexual violence during the assault.
The newly enacted law further states that individuals suspected, charged, or convicted in connection with the Oct. 7 attacks cannot be released as part of future prisoner exchange agreements.
However, implementation of the tribunal may face delays due to disagreements between Israel’s Defense Ministry and Finance Ministry over projected costs.
Hebrew media reports cited by The Times of Israel said the Defense Ministry estimates the tribunal would cost approximately NIS 5 billion (USD 1.72 billion), including construction of a dedicated judicial complex and deployment of hundreds of military and civilian personnel.
The Finance Ministry reportedly estimates the cost at closer to NIS 2 billion (USD 689 million), arguing that the defense proposal is excessively expensive.
According to the report, tribunal proceedings will be open to the public and broadcast online through a dedicated website.
The tribunal is expected to include 15 judges, including individuals qualified to serve on Israel’s Supreme Court and international jurists approved by the justice minister in consultation with the foreign minister.
Individual cases are expected to be heard by three-judge panels, while trials involving multiple defendants will be overseen by five-judge panels. Appeals will be reviewed by the full 15-member bench. (ANI)
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