DaysofPal- The “Red Ribbon Campaign” has condemned ongoing efforts led by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to expand the use of the death penalty, describing the move as a “dangerous escalation” that could further entrench discriminatory policies against Palestinians within Israel’s legal system.
In a statement, the campaign accused Ben-Gvir of continuing to promote “apartheid and racist policies against Palestinians,” pointing to remarks in which he called for the execution of Palestinian prisoners “by hanging and through all available means.” The campaign said such rhetoric earned him the label of “Executioner of the Century” for 2026.
The statement argued that efforts to broaden the application of capital punishment within what it described as “a system already marked by deep inequality” raise serious concerns regarding justice and equal legal protection. It warned against institutionalizing “irreversible punishments” within a discriminatory political and legal environment.
The campaign stressed that any official continuing to advocate policies enabling executions “under these circumstances” should face “the highest levels of scrutiny and accountability.”
The statement also highlighted several concerns linked to the proposed policies, including the expansion of the death penalty in what it described as a discriminatory context that casts doubt on guarantees of due process. It further warned of what it called “an escalation of state violence” and the replacement of justice mechanisms with irreversible punishments.
According to the campaign, such policies run counter to global human rights trends at a time when an increasing number of countries are moving toward abolishing capital punishment. It warned that pursuing such measures would “deepen division and injustice and increase tensions rather than resolve them.”
The “Red Ribbon Campaign” added that calls to expand executions reflect “a broader pattern of policies that favor punishment over justice and force over human dignity.”
The campaign called on the international community to oppose any expansion of the death penalty and to work toward ensuring accountability for policies that could lead to “serious human rights violations.”
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=74539
