Israel's parliament has approved a law that would make the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks. The Knesset passed the bill by 62 votes to 48 during its third and final reading on Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in favor of the measure during the session in Jerusalem.
Legislative Details
Legislation stipulates that Palestinians convicted in military courts of carrying out deadly attacks would be executed by hanging within 90 days. A possible postponement of up to 180 days is allowed under the new provisions. In theory, Jewish Israelis could also face execution, though this would require proof the intent was to negate the state's existence. This distinction highlights the specific focus on Palestinian defendants within the occupied territories.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister, pushed the legislation hard through the far-right coalition. After the vote, he posted on X: "We made history!!! We promised. We delivered." He argued the law was necessary to prevent future attacks similar to those on October 7. His party member Limor Son-Har-Melech also spoke during the debate regarding the release of prisoners.
Opposition and Reaction
Yair Golan, the leader of the Democrats party, criticized the legislation during the debate in the Knesset. He stated the bill does not contribute one ounce to Israel's security and risks international sanctions. Limor Son-Har-Melech, who survived a deadly attack, supported the measure citing the cycle of terror and release. Her husband was killed in a prior incident that is central to the political debate.
On the eve of the vote, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy expressed their deep concern. Officials warned the bill risks undermining Israel's commitments with regard to democratic principles. The European nations emphasized that human rights standards must remain intact despite security challenges. This coordinated diplomatic warning underscores the potential for friction with key allies.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has petitioned the country's Supreme Court against the law. They argue the legislation is unconstitutional and discriminatory by design for West Bank Palestinians. The Supreme Court will now have to consider whether to hear the challenge to the bill. Legal experts note that the court has significant power to invalidate the statute.
Israel has only executed two people in its history, including the Nazi official Adolf Eichmann. This new law marks a significant departure from historical judicial practices in the Jewish state. The rarity of capital punishment makes this move highly unusual in modern Israeli jurisprudence. Historical data confirms the exceptional nature of this legislative change.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, said the approval of the bill threatens the lives of Palestinian prisoners. The Palestinian Authority condemned the adoption, stating it seeks to legitimize extrajudicial killing under legislative cover. Analysts suggest the ruling could strain diplomatic relations with key Western partners in the coming months. The Supreme Court review remains the primary legal hurdle for the legislation.
