Israel’s parliament has passed a law making the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks.
The bill was approved in the Knesset on Monday with 62 votes in favor and 48 against, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supporting the measure.
The law mandates execution by hanging within 90 days for Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of attacks deemed “acts of terrorism,” with a possible extension of up to 180 days.
While Jewish Israelis could theoretically be executed under the law, in practice this is unlikely, as it targets attacks intended to “negate the existence of the State of Israel.”
The legislation was strongly backed by far-right figures, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called the vote “historic” on X.
Supporters, such as Knesset member Limor Son-Har-Melech, cited past attacks and the release of perpetrators as justification.
Governments, Rights Groups Sharply Condemn Death Penalty Law
Critics have called the law discriminatory and warned it could harm Israel’s international standing.
Yair Golan of the opposition Democrats party said the law “does not contribute one ounce to Israel’s security.”
Several European nations, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, expressed concern that the law risks undermining democratic principles.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the measure, calling it an attempt to “legitimise extrajudicial killing,” while Hamas warned it endangers Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s Association for Civil Rights has petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing the law is unconstitutional and discriminatory.
Israel has only executed two people in its history, one of them Nazi official Adolf Eichmann.
