Next week, the Knesset will hold a committee discussion regarding passing the racist and vengeful death penalty bill that sits before them. Proponents like MK Limor Son Har-Melech and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir hope to bring this legislation to fruition before the close of the winter session in two weeks. They intend to tie passage of the bill to a vote to pass the state budget, thereby maximizing pressure on all coalition members to support it. The February 28 initiation of war with Iran has understandably diverted media attention away from this bill. Public participation in the process, which had been building for some time before the onset of military engagement, has also ebbed. Silence in the face of these developments may prove – quite literally – deadly. 

It is therefore more imperative than ever that the rising groundswell of Jewish individuals and organizations standing with the thousands of members of “L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty” within Israel and worldwide raise their voices now. L’chaim........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)