The Gaza Peace Deal puts Israel in an impossible situation

Because Israel was making a deal with the devil.

It was a bad deal — I’m sure they knew it — but it did mean that the hostages could come home. What kind of price do you put on that?

It does, however, reveal one thing: If Israel had the death penalty for terrorists with blood on their hands, there would be nothing to trade.

The death penalty debate in Israel

ALL ISRAEL NEWS recently reported that the death penalty bill is headed to the Knesset for its first reading.

Approval in the first reading would allow the bill to continue advancing in the next Knesset, even if it isn’t passed in the current one.

“According to the proposal by MK Limor Son Har-Melech, a terrorist convicted of murder motivated by nationalism or racism would be sentenced to death,” noted the ALL ISRAEL NEWS report.

That would make Israel a safer place to live, knowing some of these evil terrorists were gone. They want to die anyway and expect their seventy virgins — though Israel has been so successful in eliminating Islamic terrorists that heaven must be running short of virgins by now.

It’s encouraging to see that the Knesset is at least discussing the death penalty. The death penalty isn’t about revenge — it’s about justice.

Justice, Scripture, and the value of life

For those who suffer the effects of terrorism, seeing terrorists released is a bitter pill to swallow.

And it’s clear that God agrees: The death penalty was part of the dispensation of the Law.

(As a Christian, I live under grace, not under the Law — but God did reveal His thoughts about justice through it.)

Even though the subject is controversial among Christians, Scripture is clear that certain sins warranted death — adultery, striking one’s parents, even gathering sticks on the Sabbath.

And, of course, murder.

“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.” — Leviticus 24:17
“Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” — Exodus 21:12
“You shall not murder.” — Exodus 20:13
“You shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death; he shall be put to death.” — Numbers 35:31
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image.” — Genesis 9:6

The death penalty tells us that life is precious — it gives weight and value to human life. If you take another’s life, your own life is forfeit.

It’s a sobering reminder that actions have consequences.

Consequences and the future

I don’t believe the death penalty would necessarily stop every jihadist terrorist, but it would affirm the sanctity of life — and prevent Israel from facing impossible situations like negotiating with terrorists.

Terrorists know that October 7 worked. Kidnapping soldiers and innocent civilians worked — and they know it.

So, tragically, it will continue, and Israel and the victims of terror will pay the price.

But would October 7 have happened if Sinwar had received the death penalty?

We’ll never know.