Israel Advances Death Penalty Bill for Palestinians in Knesset

Israel’s parliament has pushed forward a controversial bill that would allow courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of terrorism, sending the legislation to a final vote after approval by a parliamentary committee.

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The bill advanced Tuesday after the national security committee of the Knesset endorsed the proposal, according to Israel’s public broadcaster. The measure was introduced by the far-right party Otzma Yehudit, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Proposed rules for executions

Supporters say the law would strengthen Israel’s response to attacks, while critics argue it would dramatically shift the country’s penal policy and raise legal and moral concerns.

The legislation outlines strict conditions for prisoners sentenced to death. Those condemned would be held in a separate facility and barred from receiving visitors other than authorised personnel. Meetings with lawyers would take place only through video calls.

Executions would be required within 90 days of sentencing.

Under the proposal, courts could impose capital punishment without a formal request from prosecutors and without a unanimous ruling by judges. A simple majority decision would be enough.

Military courts operating in the occupied West Bank would also gain the authority to issue death sentences. The Israeli defence minister would be able to submit an opinion in such cases.

For Palestinians tried under military jurisdiction, the measure would effectively eliminate options for appeal or clemency. Prisoners tried in Israeli civilian courts, however, could still see death sentences reduced to life imprisonment.

Committee members added amendments before sending the bill forward. According to the broadcaster, executions would be carried out by hanging.

Ben-Gvir has been one of the bill’s strongest advocates and has worn a noose-shaped pin on his lapel during parliamentary debates. He has described hanging as one possible method for carrying out death sentences and said other options, including the electric chair, could also be considered.

Legal and diplomatic concerns

Israeli government agencies and military officials have repeatedly warned that the law could create legal risks for the country.

The justice and foreign ministries have cautioned that introducing such a measure could violate international law and expose Israeli commanders to arrest warrants abroad.

Opposition politicians have raised similar concerns.

Lawmaker Gilad Kariv said the requirement to carry out executions within 90 days, without the possibility of clemency, could place Israeli officials at risk of legal action in foreign courts.

Human rights organisations have also condemned the proposal.

B’Tselem, an Israeli rights group, said the law would institutionalise lethal punishment against Palestinians. Its executive director, Yuli Novak, said the measure would add another tool to what she described as a system that already permits widespread use of lethal force against Palestinians.

United Nations experts urged Israel earlier this year to withdraw the legislation, arguing it would violate the right to life and discriminate against Palestinians living in occupied territories.

The European Union also criticised the proposal, stating that capital punishment violates fundamental human rights and risks constituting cruel or degrading treatment.

Rare use of capital punishment

Capital punishment is largely absent from Israel’s legal system and has been used only in exceptional circumstances.

The most prominent case occurred in 1962 when Israeli authorities executed Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief organisers of the Holocaust.

If adopted, the new bill would mark a major departure from that precedent and introduce broader use of the death penalty within Israel’s judicial framework.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 26 March 2026

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