Israeli Parliament Passes Death Penalty Law for Palestinians
Israel's parliament has passed a law establishing the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks.
The legislation has drawn criticism for being discriminatory, with several European countries warning it may undermine democratic principles.
The bill was approved in its third and final reading in the Knesset on Monday by a vote of 62 to 48, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supporting the measure.
Provisions of the New Law
The law mandates that Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of carrying out deadly attacks defined as "acts of terrorism" will be executed by hanging within 90 days, though this period may be extended by up to 180 days.
While the law theoretically applies to Jewish Israelis as well, executions would only be carried out if the attack's intent was to "negate the existence of the state of Israel," making it highly unlikely in practice.
Political Support and Opposition
The legislation was strongly advocated by far-right politicians, particularly National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who celebrated the vote on social media, stating:
"We made history!!! We promised. We delivered."
Limor Son-Har-Melech, a member of Ben-Gvir's party and survivor of a Palestinian gunmen attack in which her husband was killed, defended the law. She cited the case of one of her husband's killers who was released and later participated in the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel.
"For years, we endured a cruel cycle of terror, imprisonment, release in reckless deals, and the return of these human monsters to murder Jews again."
Opposition leader Yair Golan of the Democrats party criticized the law, warning it could provoke international sanctions and calling it unnecessary:
"The death penalty law for terrorists is an unnecessary piece of legislation designed to get Ben-Gvir more likes. It does not contribute one ounce to Israel's security."
International and Palestinian Reactions
On the eve of the vote, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy expressed "deep concern," stating the bill risks "undermining Israel's commitments with regard to democratic principles."
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, condemned the law, asserting it "seeks to legitimise extrajudicial killing under legislative cover."
Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, issued a statement on Monday evening warning that the bill "threatens the lives" of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and called on the international community to "ensure the protection of our prisoners."
Legal Challenges and Historical Context
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the law, describing it as unconstitutional and discriminatory:
"The law is unconstitutional, discriminatory by design and - for West Bank Palestinians - enacted without legal authority."
The Supreme Court must now decide whether to hear the challenge.
Historically, Israel has executed only two individuals: one was Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi official instrumental in orchestrating the Holocaust.
