Israel Passes Death Penalty Law for Palestinians in West Bank
Key Takeaways
- Knesset passed law making death penalty the default for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.
- Law applies only to Palestinians in the West Bank, not Jewish citizens of Israel.
- International condemnation from UN, rights groups, and European states followed the vote.
Knesset Approves Death Penalty
Israel's parliament passed a law making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis.
The law passed by 62 votes to 48, with Prime Minister Netanyahu voting in favor.
It calls for executions by hanging within 90 days, with no right to appeal for Palestinians.
The law does not apply retroactively and is not intended for Hamas militants.
Law Seen as Discriminatory
The law exclusively targets Palestinians.
Human rights groups condemned the legislation as racist and a reinforcement of apartheid.
The UN human rights chief said its application would constitute a war crime.
Five foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing worry about the law's discriminatory character.
Far-Right Push and Public Reaction
The law was heavily pushed by the far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Critics warned the legislation entrenches a system of apartheid.
Hundreds protested across the Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian Prisoner's Society described the law as a historic escalation.
Legal Challenges Expected
Opponents plan to challenge the law in Israel's Supreme Court.
The Association of Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition calling the law discriminatory by design.
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