As Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners moves forward for a final vote in the Knesset, many individuals have asked for a statement from the group “L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty,” whose thousands of members hail from Israel and across the world. While we certainly could direct those inquiring to L’chaim’s numerous publications on the matter, it seems that the most fitting comment should come instead from the individual whose staunch opposition to the death penalty forms a foundational philosophy for L’chaim; namely, Holocaust survivor, acclaimed author, and human rights activist Elie Wiesel (1928-2016). Here is the famous quote that best encapsulates Wiesel’s inflamed opposition to the death penalty in all forms:

“Death should never be the answer in a civilized society.” 

Wiesel would no doubt reiterate this very statement if he were alive today and asked about Israel’s proposed death penalty bill for convicted terrorists that the Knesset is currently debating. It is a torch that L’chaim members carry in our hearts and souls. Wiesel’s comment is a simple phrase that should echo throughout the collective consciousness of all humanity, and in the hearts and souls of all Israelis now as their nation considers enacting this abject abomination. Wiesel’s words should serve as a mantra for our world when anyone raises the barbaric scepter of a return to capital punishment. He assuredly would roll over in his grave were he now to witness Israel,  a country that he loved so deeply, so close to the precipice of such disastrous folly.

Wiesel’s record of staunch death penalty opposition

Wiesel expounded upon the subject of the death penalty for a 1989 recording he made with other death penalty abolitionists entitled Lighting the Torch of Conscience, in which he stated the following:

“Death should be opposed, not served. I have seen too much death in my life. I have met too many people who served death in my life…

There is no reason in the world why death should be imposed by people of good will, of intelligence, of kindness........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)