Israel: Knesset approves death penalty for Palestinians

Israeli legislators have approved a law reinstating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. This legislation, backed by right-wing factions, is anticipated to face legal scrutiny in the country’s Supreme Court. On Monday, the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, enacted a measure that sets hanging as the standard punishment for West Bank Palestinians found guilty of murdering Israeli citizens.

The bill received support from 62 of 120 lawmakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His governing alliance depends on backing from far-right parties, which regard the law as a significant achievement. “Today, the State of Israel is altering the rules of the game,” stated Itamar Ben-Gvir, a minister from an ultranationalist party. He added, “Those who murder Jews will no longer breathe freely in prison.”

“This is a day of justice for the victims and a deterrent for our adversaries,” Ben-Gvir emphasized, while displaying a noose on his lapel during parliamentary celebrations.

Israeli media captured images of Ben-Gvir and fellow lawmakers reveling in the Knesset. The measure, however, drew sharp criticism from rights organizations on both sides of the conflict. They labeled it racist and overly harsh, arguing that it fails to deter Palestinian attackers and that Israel lacks full authority over the occupied territories.

The Palestinian presidency condemned the law as a “war crime,” according to the Wafa news agency. It asserted that such laws would not weaken Palestinian resolve or halt their pursuit of independence. “Every day this law remains on Israel’s books is a blemish on our image and values,” wrote Gilad Kariv, an outspoken opposition figure.

A prominent Israeli human rights group has already submitted a petition to the Supreme Court to overturn the legislation. “The Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a motion today, seeking to invalidate the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law,” the group announced. Legal analysts suggest the High Court may declare the law unconstitutional in multiple respects, as reported by DW’s correspondent Kramer.