Israel’s parliament has approved a controversial law introducing the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks.
The legislation passed its third and final reading in the Knesset on Monday by 62 votes to 48, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in support.
Under the new law, Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of carrying out deadly attacks classified as “acts of terrorism” would be executed by hanging within 90 days, with a possible delay of up to 180 days.
Although the law theoretically applies to Jewish Israelis, it is unlikely to be enforced in such cases, as executions can only be carried out where the intent of the attack is to “negate the existence of the state of Israel”.
The bill was strongly backed by far-right figures, particularly National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who led efforts to secure its passage. Following the vote, he wrote on X: “We made history!!! We promised. We delivered.”
Supporters argue the law is necessary to deter attacks. Limor Son-Har-Melech, a member of Ben-Gvir’s party who survived a Palestinian gun attack that killed her husband, cited the release of one of the attackers, who later took part in the 7 October 2023 attacks.
During the debate, she said: “For years, we endured a cruel cycle of terror, imprisonment, release in reckless deals, and the return of these human monsters to murder Jews again.”
Opposition figures, however, criticised the law as ineffective and politically motivated. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, warned it could trigger international consequences.
“The death penalty law for terrorists is an unnecessary piece of legislation designed to get Ben-Gvir more likes,” he said. “It does not contribute one ounce to Israel’s security.”
The law has also drawn strong international criticism. On the eve of the vote, the UK, France, Germany and Italy expressed their “deep concern”, warning that the bill risks “undermining Israel’s commitments with regard to democratic principles”.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the move, stating it “seeks to legitimise extrajudicial killing under legislative cover”.
Hamas also reacted, saying the law “threatens the lives” of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and urging the international community to “ensure the protection of our prisoners”.
Legal challenges are already underway. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing: “The law is unconstitutional, discriminatory by design and – for West Bank Palestinians – enacted without legal authority.”
The court will now decide whether to hear the case.
Israel has carried out only two executions in its history, including that of Nazi official Adolf Eichmann, a key figure in the Holocaust.
