politics

March 25, 2026

Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners moves to final vote

Legislation initiated by far-right Otzma Yehudit party drew mounting criticism from opponents and rights groups as it moved through the Knesset

Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners moves to final vote

TL;DR

  • Israel's parliament has moved a contentious bill to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of terrorism to its final vote.
  • The legislation, initiated by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who warn it would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s penal policy.
  • The bill allows courts to impose the death penalty without a request from prosecutors and without requiring unanimity, permitting a simple majority decision.
  • Military courts in the occupied West Bank would also be empowered to hand down death sentences.
  • Opponents, including UN experts and the EU's diplomatic service, argue the bill violates international law and the right to life.
  • Capital punishment in Israel has been rarely used, with the last execution in 1962 for Adolf Eichmann.

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