A new bill introduced by MK Ohad Tal is setting the stage for a major policy shift regarding prisoner exchanges and hostage negotiations in Israel. The proposed legislation, which is set to come before the Ministerial Committee for Legislation soon, seeks to significantly restrict future deals involving the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for kidnapped Israelis. The bill’s aim is to stop Israel from paying a heavy price in hostage swaps, a practice critics say encourages future kidnappings.
The bill has been met with both strong support and fierce opposition. With backing from Israel’s ruling coalition and the Yachin Institute, it is being called the “Shamgar-Lapid Law,” named after both the Shamgar Committee’s recommendations and a previous proposal by opposition leader Yair Lapid. The Shamgar Committee, convened after the Second Lebanon War, produced key principles for negotiating prisoner exchanges that align with Israel’s national security interests. These principles stress that only one terrorist may be released for each hostage and that terrorists convicted of murder or operating terrorist cells should not be eligible for release. These measures aim to curb the harmful precedent set by past deals that incentivized future kidnappings.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently warned that negotiating with terrorists under such terms could trigger a dangerous cycle of abductions. He has stressed that releasing convicted terrorists encourages future kidnappings, as terrorist organizations see it as a profitable strategy. “There is no doubt that the release of terrorists in exchange for hostages during the war will encourage future abductions,” Netanyahu stated during a Cabinet meeting.
The proposed bill, which limits the number of prisoners to be released per hostage, prohibits negotiations before hostages’ conditions are verified by a third-party international body, and disqualifies terrorists convicted of heinous crimes from any future swaps, is designed to curb these incentives. The bill also forbids exchanging live prisoners for the bodies of hostages, aiming to prevent the use of Israeli remains as a bargaining chip.
This bill comes in the wake of several large-scale exchanges in which Israel released numerous prisoners for a small number of hostages, a policy critics argue weakened the nation’s deterrence and emboldened terrorist groups. These past exchanges have often seen freed terrorists hailed as heroes in Gaza, further inflaming tensions and motivating future acts of terror.
In contrast, the new law takes a hard stance against such deals. “We cannot allow this reality to continue. The price we’ve paid for hostage releases has only encouraged further terrorism,” MK Ohad Tal remarked during his speech at the “Conference to Stop Incentivizing Hostage-Taking,” held in the Knesset on December 23, 2025. The conference was focused on the conclusions of the Shamgar Committee, convened after the Second Lebanon War to address Israel’s approach to hostage situations. MK Tal emphasized the importance of adopting the Shamgar Committee’s principles to prevent future hostage crises, calling for a strategy that includes reducing Israel’s vulnerability to terrorist kidnappings.
The event brought together ministers, Members of Knesset, civil organizations, and bereaved families. It also featured prominent speakers, including Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, Dr. Tzvika Mor, Rabbi Dekel Cohen, Adv. Maurice Hirsch, and others, all of whom highlighted the urgency of adopting clear, effective principles for negotiating hostage releases and preventing future crises.
Despite the coalition’s backing for the bill, its prospects remain uncertain. Critics argue that limiting executive discretion on sensitive matters like hostage negotiations may be unfeasible, especially in the face of public pressure during wartime. Some coalition sources warn that the bill could alienate the public, who may feel the emotional weight of each hostage situation. “This is a burden the public may not be able to bear,” one source noted.
The bill’s future will depend on balancing Israel’s security needs with the emotional and moral imperative to bring home kidnapped citizens. While the bill is seen as a necessary step to prevent future tragedies, it may encounter resistance from those who fear it could escalate tensions or alienate potential allies in difficult times.
Ultimately, the debate over the proposed law underscores the delicate balance Israel must strike between upholding security and maintaining its moral responsibility to its citizens. As MK Ohad Tal aptly put it, “We must stop incentivizing terrorism. Israel needs to change the equation: kidnapping must no longer be seen as an asset but as a burden.” Whether or not the bill passes, it has sparked an important conversation about Israel’s approach to terrorism and the value it places on its people’s safety and future.
