Top Israeli politician celebrates 50th birthday with noose cake
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated his birthday alongside far-right members with a noose birthday cake.
The party in southern Israel was attended by right-wing activists, including Ben-Gvir’s personal aide, who was convicted of assaulting a Palestinian.
‘Activist’ Benzi Gopstein, who was convicted two years ago for incitement to terrorism, was seen smiling at the event.
But the most disturbing part of the event was when Ben-Gvir’s wife, Ayala, gave him a cake with a golden noose reading: ‘Sometimes dreams come true.’
The cake was a nod to the bill his party passed, which made the death penalty for Palestinian terrorism convicts law.
The legislation makes the death penalty a default punishment for Palestinians who are found guilty of ‘intentionally’ carrying out attacks, which are classed as terrorism by a military court.
The move has been condemned by the European Union as well as France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
After the bill was passed into law, Ben-Gvir celebrated it by popping a bottle of champagne.
It’s been classed as discrimination as it does not apply to Jewish citizens of Israel and does not comply with International Humanitarian Law.
‘The death penalty bill in Israel is very concerning to us in the EU. This is a clear step backwards – the introduction of the death penalty, together with the discriminatory nature of the law,’ EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists in Brussels.
As Palestinians living in the Israel-occupied territory are automatically tried in Israeli military courts, the measure effectively creates harsher and stricter sentences for the people living there.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had attended the chamber to support the bill, could also be seen congratulating lawmakers on it passing.
In Ramallah, dozens of activists, political factions and civil society groups gathered to protest the law.
Some held placards depicting a blindfolded prisoner flanked by two hanging nooses – a stark image of what they fear lies ahead.
‘Stop the execution of prisoners law before it’s too late,’ read the placards, held alongside portraits of imprisoned Palestinians.
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