Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has promised a former Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza that he would seek to allow him to personally take part if Palestinian prisoners are executed under Israel's recently enacted death penalty law.
The exchange took place during an interview with former captive Rom Braslavski on his podcast Saturday evening, according to an Anadolu agency correspondent.
"I have a personal request, and I am truly looking you in the eyes, minister. Let me be the one who hangs them," Braslavski told Ben-Gvir.
"I don't want a rope; I want a button on a gun. With my own hands, I will execute every terrorist in the State of Israel."
Ben-Gvir replied: "I will turn the world upside down to make that happen. I promise you that I will do everything I can and turn the world upside down until it happens."
"I hope it happens. It is one of my biggest dreams to see you there," he added.
Referring to the method of execution under the new law, Ben-Gvir said: "By the way, it is hanging. The punishment we passed there is execution by hanging."
"You are the right person in the right place for us to carry out hangings and executions one after another," he told Braslavski.
"They do not deserve to live, and you are right about that."
Harsher detention conditions
During the interview, Ben-Gvir also discussed changes to the detention conditions of Palestinian prisoners since he took office in late 2022.
"During my prison visits, I used to see jam, chocolate, television, table tennis and meat. It was madness. I constantly monitor the Prison Service, and I hear the stories," he said.
"Today, we face a completely different reality. They are suffering, it is difficult for them, and they are in a bad situation. I am glad they are suffering," he added.
Ben-Gvir said this was "the only thing that can bring some form of redress and balm for the immense pain that you and all the others are experiencing."
In late March 2026, the Israeli Knesset passed legislation introduced by Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party mandating death by hanging for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis if a military court deems the act "terrorism" or determines that it was motivated by "denial of the existence of Israel."
Since Ben-Gvir took office in late 2022, Israel has tightened detention conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including through policies affecting food and medical care, according to rights reports.
