Knesset Set to Approve October 7 Terror Trials Today Amid Billion-shekel Budget Clash

The Knesset is expected to vote today (Monday) on the law that would enable prosecuting the October 7 terrorists. Channel 12 News reported last night that although the move enjoys broad support from both the coalition and the opposition, a significant budget fight is unfolding behind the scenes that could delay its actual implementation.

According to the figures presented, the Defense Ministry is requesting a budget of five billion shekels to put the law into practice and to set up the system required to run the legal proceedings against the Nukhba terrorists. According to the Finance Ministry's data, that amounts to an average cost of about 14 million shekels per defendant. The Defense Ministry explains that the high cost stems from the need to establish a dedicated base where the trials would be conducted, along with recruiting a broad apparatus that would include about 400 employees and soldiers who would take part in operating the process.

By contrast, the Finance Ministry estimates that the plan can be implemented at a significantly lower cost, just under two billion shekels—even that sum is considered particularly high. The gaps between the two ministries raise concern that even if the law is approved in the Knesset, its implementation could be delayed until budget agreements are reached.

In a joint statement, the Defense and Finance ministries said they are "working together toward full implementation that will allow the terrorists to be brought to trial as quickly as possible and at the minimal budgetary cost required for that."

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who presented the bill yesterday ahead of the vote, emphasized the public and historical significance of the move: "Under the bill, I promise there will be not only justice but also historic justice for the terrible massacre, the victims, and those responsible for all this—justice that will stand for generations."

Levin added: "Out of the horrific massacre we rose, for the memory of the murdered and their families, for those wounded in body and soul, for those who were kidnapped, and for the entire nation, to fulfill our lofty moral duty to bring them to a just trial. We will make sure the legal proceedings meet all international standards and that they can be conducted efficiently so they conclude within short timeframes."

Levin also addressed the possibility of imposing the death penalty as part of the process: "Since there is full authority here to impose death sentences, such a sentence—if imposed—will also be carried out. We are talking about hundreds of defendants. I am confident the army has taken upon itself the responsibility to lead the execution of the process and will know how to do everything necessary so that we can see the trials begin within a short time and see the truth clarified within short timeframes."

The chair of the Constitution Committee, Simcha Rothman, added: "It was very clear that the legislative response is a national undertaking, not a party or political event. The law is a clear message to Israel's enemies that the State of Israel will not stand by. The State of Israel will not forget and will not forgive—and it will punish with the severest penalties in the law books, including the death penalty."