JERUSALEM: Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, on Monday passed a law mandating the death penalty for Palestinian terrorists convicted of deadly acts of terrorism, sparking anger from European countries and an Israeli opposition leader.

Lawmakers voted 62-47 in favor of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s legislation to prescribe the death penalty by hanging. Ben Gvir and his party, Otzma Yehudit, proposed the measure.

Otzma Yehudit lawmaker Tzvika Foghel, who chairs the National Security Committee and advanced the bill through the committee under his leadership, told Fox News Digital that Israelis are fed up with policies of containment and compromise.

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«For too many years, we have tried to please the entire world, even when we were being murdered in our streets. Since October 7, we have shifted to an offensive approach so that we can dictate the reality in the future,» he said.

Foghel said the death penalty for terrorists is part of a broader shift in Israel, driven by the recognition that no other country faces a reality in confronting radical Islamic terrorism in Gaza, Lebanon, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), as well as in Yemen and Iran.

«The death penalty for terrorists who burned, raped, mutilated and abused children and parents is the same punishment we established for the Nazis,» he said.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said, «The EU has a principled position against the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances. Israel had long upheld a de facto moratorium on both executions and capital punishment sentencing, thereby leading by example in the region despite a complex security environment.»

She added, «The approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament marks a grave regression from that practice and from Israel’s own commitments. We are deeply concerned about the de facto discriminatory character of the Bill.»

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 Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid speaks at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025 in Jerusalem.  ((Photo by Evelyn Hockstein – Pool/Getty Images))

Israel has applied the death penalty only once in the state’s history for the Nazi mass murderer Adolf Eichmann in 1962. The death penalty exists on the books in Israel, but Israeli courts have limited latitude to apply execution to cases beyond penalties for Nazi war criminals.

Former Prime Minister and current leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid said the legislation is fundamentally flawed because it does not apply to Hamas terrorists involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre that killed 1,200 people.

«This law is not a show of force; it is a sign of panic. This law is more extreme than anything in the United States, and they know it will get struck down by the law. It isn’t a law for justice or for deterrence, it is a law for public relations,» he added.

Adolf Eichmann, in a bullet-proof cabin, puts on earphones to hear the reading of the act of accusation against him, Dec. 17, 1961. He was in charge of the extermination of Jews in Poland and then organized the deportation and extermination of Jews in 13 European countries. (Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

Likud lawmaker Dan Illouz, a supporter of the legislation, told Fox News Digital that the events of Oct. 7 underscored, in his view, the need to prevent terrorists from viewing the kidnapping of civilians as a viable means of securing the release of imprisoned militants.

«The death penalty shatters that equation. It serves as the ultimate deterrent, ensuring that terrorists know their actions lead only to their own demise, not a negotiated release. We are a life-loving nation, but to protect life, we must deal decisively with those who seek to destroy it,» he said.

«Prime Minister Netanyahu’s vote in favor was crucial. It projects an unmistakable message of strength and moral clarity from the very top of Israel’s leadership. By personally casting his vote, the Prime Minister showed our enemies, and the entire world, that our government is completely united and unyielding in our resolve to eradicate terrorism and defend our citizens,» he added.

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The Israeli Channel 12 political commentator, Amit Segal, wrote that he supports «executing terrorists who attempt to murder civilians — especially the monsters of October 7,» but was critical of Ben Gvir’s legislation.

He wrote in his newsletter, «The law defines terrorism as acts ‘to negate the existence of the state,’ a definition that could apply to groups such as extremist Haredi factions and violent members of the ‘Hilltop Youth’ (which Ben-Gvir supports.)

Hamas terrorists killed civilians, including women, children and the elderly, when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.  (Israel Defense Forces via AP)

Segal said that «while Ben-Gvir’s law is essentially a campaign stunt, a more responsible law is making its way through the system. Proposed by MKs Simcha Rotman and Yulia Malinovsky, the law establishes the practical mechanisms — procedural and evidentiary — to secure convictions of Nukhba terrorists, after which the death penalty could be imposed.»

Another Likud lawmaker, Amit Halevi, told Fox News Digital that the central element of the legislation is the distinction between criminal offenses and crimes against the state or against humanity.

«A terrorist commits his crimes as part of an ideology aimed at killing, oppressing and controlling all Jews. These terrorists, if they could, would kill every one of us. They are ideological murderers, in a different category from ordinary criminals, and that is a critical point of the bill,» he said.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrives for a cabinet meeting at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on Aug. 27, 2023. (MENAHEM KAHANA/Pool via REUTERS)

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Halevi added that further efforts are needed to clearly delineate crimes against the state, including what falls within that category and what does not.

«Generally speaking, this legislation is a step in the right direction. Much of the criticism I hear relates to ordinary criminals. People do not understand the enemy — who he is and what this war is about,» he said.

A progressive House candidate backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is under fire for dodging in-person debates with her GOP opponent ahead of an April special election, prompting accusations that she is reluctant to defend her far-left platform before voters.

Republican candidate Joe Hathaway is ripping his Democratic opponent, Analilia Mejia, for agreeing to a virtual debate — after repeatedly declining a series of face-to-face opportunities. The candidates are scheduled to participate in a live virtual forum sponsored by the New Jersey Globe on Wednesday evening. 

«Unfortunately, when my opponent dodges and lies about debates, it limits the opportunity for a head-to-head matchup with two weeks left in the election,» Hathaway said in a statement to Fox News Digital. «For now, she can hide behind a screen, but she cannot hide from her record.»

The special election winner will fill an open seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., who resigned after winning the state’s 2025 governor’s race. The outcome will be closely watched for its potential impact on House Republicans’ razor-thin majority.

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Hathaway’s blistering criticism comes after Mejia repeatedly declined debate opportunities with Hathaway that he accepted, the Hathaway campaign told Fox News Digital. 

Proposed debates sponsored by Montclair High School, On New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson University and New Jersey Spotlight News ultimately fell through after Mejia did not accept the invites, according to the Hathaway campaign.

Mejia, who narrowly upset a crowded field of challengers in February’s Democratic primary, has also faced backlash for appearing to misrepresent her rationale for backing out of a separate debate opportunity with local chapters of the left-leaning League of Women Voters. 

The New Jersey Democrat said she rejected the debate invite — co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey — because the group was «unable to commit» to having a person of color as the moderator.

The woman-led group fired back in a statement accusing Mejia of lying, saying their intended moderator would have been a person of color. Mejia’s primary objection was not being able to control the selection process herself, according to the group.

Republican candidate Joe Hathaway has sharply criticized Democrat Analilia Mejia for dodging an in-person debate opportunity ahead of the April 16 special election. (Joe Hathaway Campaign; Heather Khalifa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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«We were asked to provide a campaign with a list of potential moderators for approval,» Jennifer Howard, LWV president, said in a release. «This is a request that the League of Women Voters cannot accommodate. Our nonpartisan stance does not permit a candidate to influence the selection of the moderator.»

Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilmember who faces an uphill battle to win the Democratic-leaning district, slammed Mejia for backing out of the planned debate.

«If she is willing to lie about something as simple as a debate, what other lies can we expect to hear from her tomorrow?» Hathaway told Fox News Digital.

«We will show a clear contrast between the practical common-sense leadership that I am running on, and the dangerous, radical, and socialist policies of my opponent,» he added.

When asked to comment on Monday, a spokesperson for the Mejia campaign said, «All Joe Hathaway does is complain. We will see him tomorrow.»

Analilia Mejia has embraced the «Abolish ICE» movement during her run for Congress. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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The Mejia campaign previously told Fox News Digital that she accepted the New Jersey Globe debate because the outlet met her diversity requirements and was closely following the race.

Mejia, a staunch progressive who served in a senior role in Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a vocal critic of Israel. 

The winner of the special election will face voters again in November for a full two-year term.

Cuando Allen Levi, músico de larga trayectoria y escritor debutante, decidió dar forma a su primera novela, su intención inicial consistía únicamente en “probar si tenía el músculo” necesario para componer una obra de ficción extensa, tal como ha relatado él mismo a diversos medios estadounidenses.

Tras concluir el manuscrito, pensó en relegarlo a un cajón, hasta que un grupo de amigos le convenció para ‘autopublicarlo’. La novela surgida de ese reto, Theo of Golden, acabó por convertirse en un insólito fenómeno literario, definido como “la sorpresa del año” para The New York Times: en 2023 vendió 3.000 copias, cifra que se disparó hasta las 25.000 en 2024, y actualmente supera ya los 300.000 ejemplares vendidos. El ascenso se ha visto refrendado por la adquisición de los derechos editoriales, lo que ha potenciado aún más su trayectoria.

La trama de Theo de Golden, que ahora publica Grijalbo, se centra en la llegada a la ciudad de Golden, en Georgia, de un octogenario solitario, Theo, que adquiere los 92 retratos que decoran la pared de una cafetería local con la intención de devolverlos a sus retratados. El personaje, descrito como “un joven viejo con vigor” (incapaz de considerarse un “reliquia” o “débil”, y tan ágil que disfruta subiendo los tres pisos de su edificio) va entretejiendo una red de relaciones en la ciudad mediante la entrega de los retratos. En cada encuentro, Theo envía primero una carta manuscrita en la que se define como “un inofensivo anciano, viudo, padre, un león sin dientes con intenciones inocentes”.

Una vez entregado el dibujo a cada destinatario, comparte con ellos su impresión personal y les asegura que son “capaces de santidad”. Esta cadena de ‘bestowals’ genera una ola de simpatía y gratitud entre los habitantes de Golden, entre quienes figuran personajes como Tony, veterano de Vietnam y librero; Ellen, una mujer sin hogar con una enfermedad mental indeterminada; Simone, estudiante de música; o Kendrick, conserje universitario cuya hija permanece ingresada tras sufrir un accidente en el que falleció su madre.

En paralelo, Theo despliega una generosidad casi secreta que incluye procurar un tratamiento médico mejor para la hija de Kendrick, localizar a la hija de Ellen, facilitar que los padres de Simone asistan a su recital y gestionar regalos de Navidad inesperados. Solo hacia el final de la novela se desvelan las razones detrás de estas acciones y de la misteriosa fortuna de Theo.

A diferencia de otras obras que abordan la mediación de los mayores en la vida cotidiana, como Martes con mi viejo profesor, la novela de Levi se caracteriza por poseer una estructura narrativa potente y un marcado tono alegórico. El propio autor ha explicado que pretendía huir de un enfoque ingenuo y excesivamente ‘sentimentalista’, un propósito que se refleja en la presencia de un giro argumental final especialmente duro, sobre el que recibe preguntas habituales en los actos de promoción.

Cómo fue el proceso de ‘autopromoción’

No obstante, el relato apuesta por un mensaje perdurable que enfatiza la bondad, los encuentros fortuitos y las pequeñas acciones carentes de tecnología y mediación digital. Así, el público inicial del libro se concentró en el sur de los Estados Unidos y creció a través de Facebook, una red que es usada por personas mayores y que crea comunidad lectora.

El proceso de autopromoción, instrumentado por la sobrina del autor, Aron Ritchie, se basó en identificar contactos de diferentes etapas de la vida de Levi y llegar a clubes de lectura y grupos afines por medios directos. Su recorrido por colegios, eventos para jóvenes y asociaciones culminó con su implicación personal en encuentros con pequeños grupos de lectores.

La progresión de ventas fue sorprendentemente orgánica, sin apenas inversión en publicidad ni una presencia relevante en redes sociales distintas de Facebook. La posterior publicación tradicional de la novela vino acompañada de una irrupción en listas como la del The New York Times, donde ha figurado durante 15 semanas.

Con respecto a los referentes literarios y el tono general de la novela, el propio Levi cita habitualmente a Wendell Berry o David Brooks, aunque su estilo y ambientación evocan la obra de escritores como Paulo Coelho, Matt Haig o Mitch Albom, por el carácter luminoso y simbólico de su propuesta narrativa. De hecho, la abundancia de guiños a la belleza del arte, la música y la literatura (con menciones a Edward Albee, Eudora Welty, Pablo Casals, Aaron Copland o Antonin Dvorak) constituye un rasgo central en la atmósfera de la obra.

Sustrato espiritual de la obra

A pesar de haber rechazado ofertas de editoriales cristianas, Allen Levi no esconde el sustrato espiritual de Theo de Golden. El desenlace incorpora una ceremonia fúnebre cristiana plasmada íntegramente durante varias páginas, y el propio Levi ha explicado que su objetivo era que los lectores “experimentaran el amor de Dios y vieran la imagen de Dios en sí mismos, por eso los retratos”. Aun así, sostiene que la obra puede conmover a lectores ajenos a dicha perspectiva por su apelación universal a la bondad.

El ejercicio de la compasión ocupa un lugar central. Así lo demuestra la historia de Kendrick, quien, tras el accidente sufrido por su hija, opta por el perdón hacia el responsable, un inmigrante guatemalteco sin antecedentes penales que causó el siniestro al quedarse dormido al volante mientras intentaba regresar con su propia hija enferma de cáncer.

El mensaje concreto del libro se recoge en palabras de la abuela de Kendrick: “Si tienes que elegir entre justicia y misericordia, elige siempre el camino de la misericordia. Si te equivocas, que sea por misericordia… y recuerda que el ojo de Dios ve”. Este enfoque, refuerza la pulsión de cristianismo basado en las obras y no en las oraciones que impregna la narrativa, un planteamiento alejado de la actual hegemonía evangélica conservadora.

El estilo de Levi ha suscitado también comentarios relativos a su carácter anticuado o poco sutil. Algunas críticas han subrayado tanto la “insistencia didáctica” de la obra como el empleo de recursos narrativos que evocan la tradición sentimental del siglo XIX, con paralelismos como el de Little Eva de La cabaña del tío Tom.

Este énfasis deliberado en la bondad y la generosidad, que según Levi desafía los códigos imperantes de la industria, ha resultado, no obstante, un potente motor de ventas y recomendación. Atraídos por ese mensaje y el carácter “puro” del proceso de publicación, muchos lectores continúan recomendando el libro y ampliando su éxito internacional. Allen Levi ha comenzado a trabajar en una secuela centrada en Ellen, uno de los personajes más singulares de la novela, enfrentándose ahora a la presión de cumplir unas expectativas muy superiores y a la dificultad de lidiar con una nueva tragedia narrativa.