Israel Passes Death Penalty Law for Palestinians, Sparking Regional Protests

Israel's Knesset approved a law authorizing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of attacks.

The law specifies hanging and requires carrying out sentences within 90 days with no right to clemency.

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B'Tselem highlighted the West Bank military courts' 96% conviction rate and history of coercing confessions.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the law violates international humanitarian law.

The Israeli Supreme Court is expected to strike down the law.

The law sparked massive protests across the region, including in Syria, Morocco, and Mauritania.

Mauritania's parliament held a rare joint session with government and opposition expressing unified condemnation.

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31 political parties signed a joint statement describing the law as a crime.

Hezbollah condemned the law and called on international bodies to act.

The broad cross-section of regional actors underscores its centrality as a flashpoint.

Families of Palestinian detainees organized protests calling for repeal of the death penalty.

Ikhlas al-Sayed has waited 24 years for her husband Abbas held in an Israeli prison.

Abbas al-Sayed is one of the most prominent leaders among Palestinian prisoners.

The law stipulates execution of 'elite' prisoners from Gaza to begin 90 days after enactment.

Some families believe the law will be retroactively applied to hundreds of prisoners.