Israel passes law on death penalty for Palestinians

The Israeli parliament on Monday, April 30, discussed the death penalty for Palestinians accused of “involvement in terrorism.”

It is reported that the death penalty will be carried out by hanging. According to the law, the punishment will not be applied to Israelis. The death penalty can only be applied to Palestinians – Arab residents of the West Bank. It may only be applied to Israelis if a murder is committed with the intent of “destroying Israel.”

After a court issues a sentence, it must be carried out within 90 days, and the convicted person has no right to clemency.

Following the announcement of the law’s adoption, several countries and international organizations criticized it, noting that the law is primarily aimed at Palestinian prisoners. They pointed out that the death penalty will effectively not be applied to Israelis, even if they commit such serious crimes.

In Israel, the death penalty for murder was abolished in 1954.

Although military courts formally retained the right to impose the death penalty, in practice, such sentences have not been issued. Palestinians are detained on various charges and sentenced to long prison terms, but there have been no death sentences.

The death penalty law was introduced by the far-right party “Otzma Yehudit” (Jewish Power), led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Videos have circulated on social media showing him and several others celebrating the adoption of the law.

In turn, Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, sharply condemned this law and called on Palestinians to attack Israel in retaliation for the adoption of this law proposed by the far-right Ben-Gvir.

The head of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the adoption of the law and called it a violation of international law and an attempt to intimidate Palestinians. In an official statement, the administration said that “such laws and executions will not break the will of the Palestinian people or weaken their resilience in resistance.”

Amid international criticism, several European countries, including France and Germany, stated that the law contradicts international norms and called on the Israeli parliament to repeal it. However, the far-right party “Otzma Yehudit,” led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, expressed its intention to continue implementing its policy despite recommendations from foreign states and pressure from human rights organizations.