Israel is racing toward a historic and deeply controversial legal shift as lawmakers prepare to vote on a bill that would introduce the death penalty for certain Palestinian prisoners.

Human rights groups warn the proposal marks a dramatic escalation in Israel’s security policy. Critics say the legislation — now heading for a final vote in the Knesset — could transform the country’s justice system while intensifying already explosive tensions with Palestinians.

Amnesty warns of ‘apartheid imposed by a noose’

The watchdog Amnesty International has condemned the bill in stark terms, calling it part of a broader campaign against Palestinians.

Kristyan Benedict, a crisis response manager at Amnesty UK, said the measure would add “another weapon” to what he described as decades of systematic repression.

The group argues the law would deepen an already severe prison crisis, where roughly 10,000 Palestinians are believed to be held in Israeli detention facilities.

Hardline allies push bill to the brink

The legislation has been championed by far-right politicians allied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has become the bill’s most visible supporter, celebrating its advance through parliament and declaring the vote a “historic day for the State of Israel.”

Under the proposal, individuals convicted of terror attacks that result in Israeli deaths could face execution by hanging within 90 days of sentencing.

Justice without appeal

The bill, introduced by lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, would sharply restrict legal safeguards.

Judges would not need a unanimous ruling to impose a death sentence, and those convicted would be barred from seeking a presidential pardon. Prisoners facing execution would also be held in isolated facilities with no visitors except authorised officials.

Israeli media report that authorities have already begun preparing prison systems for possible executions.

Europe warns of a ‘grave step backward’

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the European Union, which opposes capital punishment in all circumstances.

EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni warned the legislation would reverse Israel’s long-standing informal moratorium on executions.

Diplomats say the stakes extend far beyond the courtroom. If passed, the law could inflame an already volatile conflict — and push Israel into one of the most contentious human rights battles in its modern history.

Israel's death penalty law is 'weapon to eliminate Palestinians' claims Amnesty as 10k held

Seems reasonable bring it in ASAP, i wish the UK would bring back the death penalty

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Seems reasonable bring it in ASAP, i wish the UK would bring back the death penalty

But are the Israelis going to hang the settlers killing Palestinians in the West Bank?

3 minutes ago, bannork said:

But are the Israelis going to hang the settlers killing Palestinians in the West Bank?

I don't know where you are from but always makes me laugh when Americans, Aussies and Canadians complain about Israelis being in Israel

Executing them guarantees they will not have to be traded later, so that's a good thing.

Of course, all the "human rights" organizations are against it, but they are against all executing anyone for anything. The only executions they support would be Trump and Netanyahu.

I was for the death penalty when I young, then I was against it in my fifties, now I've been back for it for the last five years or so.

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I don't know where you are from but always makes me laugh when Americans, Aussies and Canadians complain about Israelis being in Israel

I see you didn't answer my question.

15 minutes ago, bannork said:

But are the Israelis going to hang the settlers killing Palestinians in the West Bank?

For what?

15 minutes ago, bannork said:

But are the Israelis going to hang the settlers killing Palestinians in the West Bank?

Israel's laws are for everyone , they apply to all people regardless of Religious beliefs .

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Israel's laws are for everyone , they apply to all people regardless of Religious beliefs .

Problem is that more than one Israeli deems non Jews to be less than human people.

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Israel's laws are for everyone , they apply to all people regardless of Religious beliefs .

Exactly, the law clearly applies to everyone: "Whoever intentionally causes the death of a person with the intention of harming a citizen or resident of Israel, with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel, shall be sentenced to death or life imprisonment, and one of these punishments only." The sentence would be carried out by hanging, and would be enforced within 90 days of sentencing."

1 minute ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Problem is that more than one Israeli deems non Jews to be less than human people.

Virtually all Palestinians deem Jews to be less than human.

1 minute ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Problem is that more than one Israeli deems non Jews to be less than human people.

As do numerous non Jews views Jews .

Some Non Jews do have derogatory opinion of Jews .

Supremacists live in all groups of people

13 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Exactly, the law clearly applies to everyone: "Whoever intentionally causes the death of a person with the intention of harming a citizen or resident of Israel, with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel, shall be sentenced to death or life imprisonment, and one of these punishments only." The sentence would be carried out by hanging, and would be enforced within 90 days of sentencing."

So how to explain the dropped charges against IDF gang rapists of prisoners despite the existence of video evidence?

22 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Problem is that more than one Israeli deems non Jews to be less than human people.

aren't you getting confused with muslim extremists? who seem to want everyone else in the west dead

4 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

So how to explain the dropped charges against IDF gang rapists of prisoners despite the existence of video evidence?

I'm sorry, were they on video intentionally causing the death of a person with the intention of harming a citizen or resident of Israel, with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel?

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

aren't you getting confused with muslim extremists? who seem to want everyone else in the west dead

Islam is a religion of peace!

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

aren't you getting confused with muslim extremists? who seem to want everyone else in the west dead

I am commenting on the double standard rolled out on abuses .

As above it is deemed acceptable if against a non citizen.

Problematic is when a Muslim Israeli citizen is also abused.

1 minute ago, 0ffshore360 said:

I am commenting on the double standard rolled out on abuses .

As above it is deemed acceptable if against a non citizen.

Problematic is when a Muslim Israeli citizen is also abused.

What is the double standard? the new law would apply to everyone the same.

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

What is the double standard? the new law would apply to everyone the same.

As if !

2 minutes ago, 0ffshore360 said:

As if !

More solid evidence from you. Did you read the law? Of course not.