The Knesset today (Wednesday) granted preliminary approval to a bill proposed by MK Yulia Malinovsky (Yisrael Beiteinu) and MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism) calling for the establishment of a special tribunal dedicated to handling cases of genocide and war crimes committed during Hamas’s deadly terrorist assault in October 2023.
The law is intended to enable swift, effective, and resolute prosecution of those involved in acts of murder, rape, looting, and abduction—described in the explanatory notes as “a deliberate attempt to undermine the sovereignty and very existence of the Jewish people.”
Special Powers and International Recognition
In addition to establishing a new judicial authority, the bill also calls for the formation of an interministerial oversight committee—including representatives from the Justice, Defense, and Foreign Ministries—to outline prosecution policy.
The proposal also introduces a legal definition for the term “unlawful combatant in the events of October 7,” and permits extended detention of suspects for the purposes of investigation, trial, and national security.
MKs Malinovsky and Rothman emphasized after the vote:
“October 7 was not just a terrorist attack—it was an attempt to annihilate the Jewish people. The creation of a special tribunal will allow us to reveal the truth, deliver justice, and send a clear message to the entire world.”
