Israel’s parliament has passed a controversial new law that makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of fatal attacks in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, drawing sharp criticism from international bodies and human rights groups. This extreme measure, which European countries and various rights organizations have slammed as discriminatory, allows for executions without a crucial safeguard previously in place.
Under the new legislation, military courts in the occupied West Bank can impose the death penalty on individuals found guilty of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism. The bill permits a simple majority decision in military courts to hand down a death sentence, rather than requiring a request from prosecutors or unanimity from the judges. This effectively closes off avenues for appeal or clemency for Palestinians under occupation, a stark contrast to prisoners tried inside Israel who could potentially have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
The bill specifies that those sentenced to death will be held in a separate facility, with visits restricted to authorized personnel. Legal consultations will be conducted solely by video link, and executions are slated to occur within 90 days of sentencing. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN has reported that these executions would be carried out by hanging. Historically, Israel has rarely used the death penalty, with Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann being the last person executed in 1962.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and a strong proponent of the bill, has openly championed the measure
Ben-Gvir has often been seen wearing a lapel pin shaped like a noose, symbolizing executions under the proposal. Ben-Gvir described hanging as “one of the options,” alongside the electric chair or “euthanasia,” even claiming some doctors had offered to assist. Directly before the vote, Ben-Gvir delivered a passionate speech from the podium, asserting the law was long overdue and a symbol of national pride and 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 declared. The chamber erupted in cheers after the measure passed, with Ben-Gvir brandishing a bottle in celebration, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who voted yes in person, remained motionless.
The legislation, initiated by Ben-Gvir’s far-right Otzma Yehudit party, has ignited widespread international concern. UN experts called on Israel to withdraw the bill last month, warning it would violate the right to life and discriminate against Palestinians in the occupied territories.
They pointed out that the measure removes judicial discretion, preventing courts from weighing individual circumstances or imposing proportionate sentences, and argued that hanging constitutes torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment under international law. The EU’s diplomatic service also condemned the proposal, stating that capital punishment breaches the right to life and risks violating the absolute prohibition on torture.
Britain, France, Germany, and Italy also collectively expressed “deep concern” over the legislation, suggesting it risked “undermining Israel’s commitments with regards to democratic principles.” Amnesty International had previously urged Israeli lawmakers to reject the legislation, which it said “would allow Israeli courts to expand their use of death sentences with discriminatory application against Palestinians.”
Israel’s leading rights groups have decried the law as “an act of institutionalised discrimination and racist violence against Palestinians,” with The Association for Civil Rights in Israel filing an appeal against the law with Israel’s supreme court.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the legislation as a breach of international law, labeling it a doomed attempt to intimidate Palestinians. His office released a statement asserting that “Such laws and measures will not break the will of the Palestinian people or undermine their steadfastness. Nor will they deter them from continuing their legitimate struggle for freedom, independence, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Military officials and various ministries within Israel have also voiced concerns that the bill could breach international law, potentially exposing Israeli personnel to arrest abroad. While the law has formally entered into force, it can still be reviewed and potentially struck down by Israel’s Supreme Court.
Published: Mar 31, 2026 01:45 pm