Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israel’s parliament has approved a bill allowing the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, a move widely condemned by European nations, human rights organizations, and UN experts as discriminatory and in violation of international law.
The legislation, passed on Monday by a vote of 62 in favor and 48 against, was championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. One lawmaker abstained, while the remainder were absent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in favor in person. The bill makes the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank convicted by military courts of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks classified as terrorism.
Under the law, those sentenced to death will be held in a separate facility with restricted visitation, legal consultations conducted only via video link, and executions carried out within 90 days of sentencing. The bill permits courts to impose the death penalty without a prosecutor’s request and by simple majority, with the defense minister allowed to submit an opinion. Military courts in the West Bank will also be empowered to deliver death sentences, while Palestinians tried inside Israel could still have sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
The legislation represents a sharp escalation in Israel’s penal policy. Executions are rare in Israel; the last execution was of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962. Critics argue that the new law removes judicial discretion, prevents proportional sentencing, and targets Palestinians disproportionately. Amnesty International, UN experts, and the European Union have all warned that the measure violates the right to life and constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment under international law.
Before the vote, Ben-Gvir delivered a dramatic speech calling the law “long overdue” and a demonstration of national strength. “From today, every terrorist will know, and the whole world will know, that whoever takes a life, the State of Israel will take their life,” he said. Following passage, lawmakers in the chamber cheered, while Ben-Gvir celebrated publicly.
Human rights groups immediately vowed to challenge the legislation. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking annulment of the law. European governments, including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, expressed “deep concern,” warning the bill could undermine Israel’s democratic commitments.
The legislation has also raised alarms among Israeli military officials, who cautioned that it could breach international law and potentially expose personnel to prosecution abroad. Despite these concerns, the law now formally enters into force, though it remains subject to review by Israel’s Supreme Court.
Observers say the bill risks inflaming tensions in the occupied territories and could further isolate Israel diplomatically while exacerbating concerns over human rights and adherence to international legal norms.
