Israel's Knesset Passes Death Penalty Law Targeting Palestinians
Key Takeaways
- Knesset approved death penalty as default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.
- Death penalty by hanging for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.
- Widely condemned by rights groups and European states as discriminatory.
Knesset Approves Death Penalty
Israel's parliament passed a law making the death penalty the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted of nationalistically motivated killings.
The law was championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who celebrated in the chamber.
The legislation allows military courts in the occupied West Bank to impose death sentences.
The law does not apply retroactively to current prisoners, including Hamas militants.
Discriminatory Application
Legal experts noted the law effectively confines those who can be sentenced to death to Palestinian citizens and excludes Jewish citizens.
The ideological burden of proof makes application to Jewish nationalist terror nearly impossible.
Critics described the law as discriminatory and inhumane.
International Condemnation
The legislation drew sharp international condemnation.
Britain, France, Germany and Italy expressed deep concern.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition with the Supreme Court.
Far-Right Pushback
The law represents the culmination of a yearslong drive by Israel's far right.
Limor Son Har-Melech expressed emotional support for the law.
The legislation is expected to face legal challenges.
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