Israel’s Parliament passed a new law on Monday that allows for the death penalty to be imposed on Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis. The bill’s approval comes after a prolonged effort by Israel’s far-right to toughen penalties for Palestinians found guilty of nationalistic crimes against Israelis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally voted in favor of the law during the session.
Under the new legislation, the death penalty by hanging will be the standard punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted of nationalistic killings. Israeli courts will have the discretion to choose between the death penalty and life imprisonment for Israeli citizens. Importantly, the law will not be retroactive and will only apply to future cases.
The passing of the law was met with cheers in the chamber, with Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, jubilantly celebrating the milestone. Critics, including Israeli and Palestinian rights groups, have strongly condemned the measure, labeling it as racist and unlikely to deter attacks by Palestinian perpetrators.
Shortly after the law was enacted, the Association of Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition with the country’s highest court challenging the law, arguing that it discriminates against West Bank Palestinians and was enacted without proper legal authority. The law stipulates that the death penalty should come into effect within 30 days.
Before the vote, Ben-Gvir delivered a passionate speech in support of the law, emphasizing its significance in sending a strong message to terrorists. The new legislation has faced criticism from various groups, including Israelis, Palestinians, international rights organizations, and the United Nations, who argue that it creates a disparity in the justice system favoring Israeli citizens.
Critics point out that the law designates military courts to sentence Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis as acts of terror, while Israeli courts can choose between life imprisonment and the death penalty for cases involving attacks against Israeli citizens. The distinction between the court systems has raised concerns about the unequal application of justice.
Despite the passage of the law, concerns have been raised about its compliance with international law, as the West Bank is not recognized as Israeli sovereign territory. Additionally, the legislation does not provide for clemency and sets strict timelines for the execution of death sentences.
Although Israel has the death penalty as a potential punishment for certain crimes, including acts of terrorism, no executions have been carried out since 1962. The law will not apply retroactively to militants involved in past attacks, and separate legislation is being considered for addressing those cases. Some lawmakers fear that the new law could impact future hostage negotiations and escalate tensions in the region.