Israel's far-right government has introduced a highly controversial bill to expand the death penalty, with a vote expected in the Knesset this week. The legislation primarily mandates a mandatory death sentence for Palestinians convicted of terrorism in Israeli military and criminal courts. Having passed its first reading in November 2025, the bill was returned to the National Security Committee due to over 2,000 reservations, mostly from opposition lawmakers and the committee's legal advisor.
The bill's stated purpose is to impose harsher punishments following the Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7, 2023. However, critics argue it is discriminatory and violates international law, as it de facto applies only to Palestinians. According to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, military courts have a conviction rate of approximately 96%, largely based on 'confessions' extracted under duress and torture during interrogations.
The bill outlines two tracks: one for criminal courts in Israel and another for military courts in the occupied West Bank. In military courts, Palestinians would face a mandatory death sentence, commutable to life imprisonment only if the court finds 'special reasons.' Decisions would be made by a simple majority of judges, with appeals severely limited. The Knesset committee's legal advisor, Ido Ben-Itzhak, criticized the bill for lacking provisions for pardons, which allegedly contradicts international conventions.
Itamar Ben Gvir, head of the far-right Jewish Power party and Minister of National Security, is a leading proponent, calling the bill 'the most important law the Knesset has enacted in recent years.' Critics suggest this push is linked to Israel's upcoming elections later this year. In parallel, a separate 'Tribunals Law' bill could establish a special military tribunal to impose capital punishment on individuals indicted for the October 7 attacks.
The bill has drawn sharp criticism domestically and internationally. Palestinian lawyer Sahar Francis labeled it 'very dangerous' and a violation of international humanitarian law. The European Union regime expressed 'deep concern,' reiterating its opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances. United Nations experts have urged Israel to withdraw the bill, warning it discriminates against Palestinians and could exacerbate regional tensions.
Source: www.dw.com