31 Mar 2026 - 00:25
The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that Israel’s parliament has passed a law making the death penalty a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of carrying out deadly attacks.
The legislation, approved on Monday, fulfills a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies and has drawn international criticism amid already heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank.
The measure includes provisions requiring execution by hanging within 90 days of sentencing, with limited allowance for delay, no right to clemency, and the option of life imprisonment instead of capital punishment.
Israel abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954. The only execution carried out after a civilian trial was that of Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
While military courts in the West Bank can already impose death sentences, they have not previously done so.
The law was promoted by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said in parliament, “This is a day of justice for the murdered, a day of deterrence for enemies.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the legislation as a violation of international law, saying it would not deter Palestinians from pursuing their goals.
Militant groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad called for retaliatory attacks, while Israeli rights organizations described the law as discriminatory and vowed to challenge it in court.
The bill passed with support from 62 members of Israel’s 120-seat parliament, reflecting backing from Netanyahu’s nationalist-religious coalition despite concerns from Western allies.
