Israel is on the verge of passing a controversial bill that could allow for the imposition of the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli parliament’s National Security Committee has given the green light to a draft bill that would legalize the execution of imprisoned Palestinians convicted of committing acts of terror resulting in death. The proposed legislation, introduced by a far-right Member of Parliament, offers judges the choice between life imprisonment or capital punishment for these individuals.
The European Union and the Israeli military have both criticized the bill as it progresses toward becoming law. If approved, the new bill, spearheaded by MP Limor Son Har-Melech, would permit judges to sentence prisoners to death without requiring a unanimous verdict. The executions, to be carried out by the Israel Prison Service, would occur within 90 days of sentencing as per the bill’s stipulations.
Prisoners facing the death penalty would be ineligible for pardon, as reported by Middle East Eye. The bill, which passed its initial reading in November, is expected to undergo further readings in the near future within the Knesset.
The EU has strongly condemned the proposal, with its foreign affairs spokesperson expressing deep concern over the potential consequences. The spokesperson emphasized the EU’s staunch opposition to capital punishment in any circumstances, citing it as a violation of the right to life and a form of torture. Israel has historically refrained from executions and capital punishment, setting a precedent in the region that this bill would reverse if enacted.
The Israeli military has also raised objections to the bill, citing concerns about potential violations of international law and the legal ramifications for military commanders. Despite these criticisms, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has lauded the bill as a significant milestone for Israel, declaring that those who target Jews for their ethnicity deserve the ultimate punishment.
Reports indicate that Israel is making preparations for the possible implementation of the new executions, with an estimated 10,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails as of April 2025, according to Al Jazeera.
