Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir marked his 50th birthday on Saturday with a ceremony that featured cakes decorated with a noose and references to the death‑penalty law he has promoted for Palestinians tried in military courts. The event, held at Villa Space in the Moshav Emunim community south of Tel Aviv, was attended by senior police and security officials, including Jerusalem District Commander Avshalom Peled, Judea and Samaria District Commander Moshe Pinchi and Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, as well as cabinet ministers Israel Katz and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
The cake presented by Ben Gvir’s wife, Ayala, bore a noose and the caption “Mazel tov to Minister Ben Gvir, sometimes dreams come true.” A second, taller cake displayed an image of Israel, the minister’s portrait, two guns and a golden noose. Observers linked the decorations to the “Death Penalty for Terrorists” law passed by the Knesset in March, which mandates hanging for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks in military courts, with no right of appeal. The law allows a reduction to life imprisonment only under unspecified “special circumstances.”
The legislation was approved by a narrow 62‑to‑47 vote. Critics say it creates a dual‑justice system that exempts Jewish Israelis from capital punishment. International reaction has been uniformly critical. Governments in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, New Zealand and Australia issued statements expressing deep concern and urging Israel to repeal the law. United Nations experts warned that the rule violates international law by singling out Palestinians for execution.
Ben Gvir and members of his Otzma Yehudit party have long displayed noose‑shaped lapel pins as a symbol of support for the death‑penalty measure. The minister has previously questioned the existence of a “Palestinian people” and has advocated harsh treatment for incarcerated Palestinians, once stating that he would seek to give them “the minimum of the minimum” in food. He is currently barred from traveling to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain because of these statements.
Police Commissioner Danny Levy limited attendance at the birthday celebration to senior command staff, warning lower‑ranking officers to stay away amid concerns that Ben Gvir could exert undue pressure on law‑enforcement agencies and undermine their independence.
The episode highlights the growing tension between Israel’s hard‑line nationalist elements and domestic and international calls for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian standards. The controversy surrounding the death‑penalty law is likely to influence diplomatic relations and could prompt further scrutiny of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians in the coming weeks.
