Israel approves death penalty bill for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks
Israel approves death penalty bill for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks
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Israel’s parliament has passed a controversial law making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in the occupied West Bank, triggering widespread international condemnation and legal challenges.
More details in the following report:
Israel’s parliament approved new legislation on March 30, 2026, mandating capital punishment for Palestinians convicted in military courts of carrying out lethal attacks classified as terrorism. The law, backed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, marks a major shift in Israel’s penal policy.
Under the law, courts can impose death sentences by a simple majority without requiring a prosecutor’s request. Executions are expected to be carried out by hanging within 90 days of sentencing, with limited options for delay and no right to clemency for those convicted.
The measure applies primarily to Palestinians tried in military courts in the occupied West Bank, while courts may still impose life imprisonment in some cases. Critics say the law effectively removes avenues for appeal and limits judicial discretion.
Israel has rarely used capital punishment, having abolished it for murder in 1954. The only widely recognized execution remains that of Nazi official Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
The legislation has drawn sharp backlash from Palestinian officials, Israeli rights groups, and international actors. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the move as a violation of international law, while critics warn it will disproportionately target Palestinians and deepen tensions. Human rights organizations argue the law is discriminatory and may violate international legal standards, while United Nations experts and European governments have warned it could breach the right to life and expose Israeli officials to legal consequences abroad.
The law is already facing legal challenges in Israel’s Supreme Court, where rights groups have petitioned to block or overturn its implementation. A petition was filed with the High Court of Justice on Monday against the law by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), asking the court to strike down the law and issue an interim order freezing its implementation pending a ruling.
