Israel’s death penalty law for Palestinians sparks global outrage

Israel’s parliament has passed a controversial law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly attacks. The law has sparked outrage worldwide and deep concern over human rights violations.

According to the legislation, execution has been passed as default punishment for Palestinians tried in military courts for “terror-related” killings. The bill was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was strongly backed by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

However, critics say that the legislation is “inherently discriminatory” because it targets Palestinians but does not extend to Jewish Israelis accused of similar offenses, sparking fear of an unfair judicial system.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the law as “deeply discriminatory” and inconsistent with international legal obligations. He claimed that if implemented in a discriminatory manner, especially in occupied Palestinian territories, it could constitute a war crime.

Furthermore, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reiterated the organization’s opposition, calling the legislation “particularly cruel and discriminatory” and reaffirming the UN’s stance against the death penalty in all circumstances.

The law has also drawn criticism from global leaders. The European Union called it a “step backwards.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez labeled it an “asymmetric measure” that risks moving closer to apartheid. Germany also expressed concern, emphasizing its firm opposition to the unfair legislation.

Moreover, Amnesty International has called on Israeli authorities to urgently cancel the newly approved death penalty law.

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, criticized the move as well, stating that Israel’s parliament has initiated “a series of laws facilitating the death penalty,” reflecting cruelty, discrimination, and disregard for human rights.

She also raised serious concerns about the functioning of military courts, noting that conviction rates for Palestinian defendants exceed 99%, potentially leading to near-mandatory death sentences within 90 days while undermining basic fair-trial protections.

Guevara-Rosas further highlighted the timing of the law, pointing out that it coincides with a recent decision by the Israeli military to drop all charges against soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee, a move she said was publicly welcomed by the prime minister.

Palestinian leadership and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have condemned the move as a violation of international law.