‘Discriminatory’ Israeli death penalty law would be war crime, says UN rights chief

Volker Türk says bill, which applies to Palestinians convicted of terror charges but not Jewish extremists, must be repealed

Peter Beaumont

The Guardian: 31 Mar 2026

A new Israeli law that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks, but not Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes, would constitute a war crime if enacted, according to one of the UN’s most senior human rights officials.

Speaking amid mounting international condemnation of the bill, the UN’s high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, described the law as “patently inconsistent with Israel’s international law obligations, including in relation to the right to life”. He added that it “raises serious concerns about due process violations, is deeply discriminatory, and must be promptly repealed”.

“Its application in a discriminatory manner would constitute an additional, particularly egregious violation of international law. Its application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime,” Türk said.

Interesting take on the law: executing a terrorist for a war crime is a war crime.

2 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

Interesting take on the law: executing a terrorist for a war crime is a war crime.

Interesting take on the international law.

At issue is the racism at the core of the Israeli law.

But then I‘m sure you are aware laws authorizing the killing of a singled out race are nothing new.

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

At issue is the racism at the core of the Israeli law.

Yeah rascism by Semites against other semites

12 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

But then I‘m sure you are aware laws authorizing the killing of a singled out race are nothing new.

Ooooh how cute, utilizing the National Socialist definitions of race to accuse others of racism. How....National Socialist 55555555

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

Yeah rascism by Semites against other semites

Ooooh how cute, utilizing the National Socialist definitions of race to accuse others of racism. How....National Socialist 55555555

Whatever made you think of National Socialist definitions of race?

Israel carried out the death penalty only twice in its history. The first time was in 1948 when an IDF officer was shot by firing squad for espionage. The second was the hanging of former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann in 1962 for his role in the Holocaust.

It has never been used against a Palestinian.

5 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

Israel carried out the death penalty only twice in its history. The first time was in 1948 when an IDF officer was shot by firing squad for espionage. The second was the hanging of former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann in 1962 for his role in the Holocaust.

It has never been used against a Palestinian.

Yeah and they cut Demjanuk loose. They dont need a death penalty, Mossad can always give the enemy the Cukors method.

9 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

Israel carried out the death penalty only twice in its history. The first time was in 1948 when an IDF officer was shot by firing squad for espionage. The second was the hanging of former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann in 1962 for his role in the Holocaust.

It has never been used against a Palestinian.

But...it is now codified into law that Palestinian terrorists will be sentenced to death. It's a bald statement that can be used against any non-Israeli for virtually anything. There is no ready definition for terrorism.

The fact that the new law is worded against one class of people and does not include any terrorists which, of course, would have to include soldiers & settlers.

The very fact that this was passed by the Knesset should give us all great pause. Bigots & zealots are 'winning'.