In a bold and highly contentious move, Israel’s parliament has approved a law making the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in military courts. The legislation, passed Monday by a 62–48 vote, fulfills a key promise by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies and marks one of the most significant shifts in Israel’s criminal justice system in decades.
Under the new law, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank who are convicted of killings classified as “acts of terrorism” by military judges will face execution by hanging. Judges may still impose life imprisonment in rare “special circumstances,” but the legal framework now positions the death penalty as the standard sentence. The law also stipulates that executions should be carried out within approximately three months of sentencing.
Although Israel has technically retained capital punishment for certain crimes, no executions have been carried out since the hanging of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962. This legislation marks a dramatic expansion of the death penalty, particularly in areas under military jurisdiction and raises significant legal and ethical questions.
The move has already sparked widespread international criticism. European nations, human rights organizations and Palestinian leaders have condemned the law as discriminatory and in violation of international legal norms. Observers warn that the legislation could heighten tensions in the region, complicate peace efforts and draw Israel further into the global spotlight over human rights concerns.
Supporters, including prominent far-right lawmakers, argue that the law is necessary to deter terrorist attacks and protect Israeli citizens. Critics, however, view it as a politically motivated measure that may exacerbate divisions both domestically and internationally, underscoring the growing polarization within Israeli politics.