️ Israel's parliament, the Knesset, approved a new law on Monday that establishes the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of carrying out deadly attacks deemed "acts of terrorism." The bill passed its third and final reading by 62 votes to 48, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in favor. It stipulates that execution by hanging must be carried out within 90 days, with a possible postponement of up to 180 days. In theory, Jewish Israelis could also face execution if the attack's intent was to "negate the existence of the state of Israel," but in practice, this is considered highly unlikely.

️ The legislation was heavily pushed by far-right politicians, notably National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who posted on X after the vote: "We made history!!! We promised. We delivered." Supporters, including Ben-Gvir's party member Limor Son-Har-Melech—a survivor of a Palestinian attack that killed her husband—argued the law is necessary, citing cases where perpetrators were released and later participated in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

️ However, opposition leader Yair Golan criticized the law, stating it "is an unnecessary piece of legislation designed to get Ben-Gvir more likes" and "does not contribute one ounce to Israel's security." On the eve of the vote, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy expressed "deep concern," warning that the bill risks "undermining Israel's commitments with regard to democratic principles."

️ The Palestinian Authority, which administers the West Bank, condemned the law's adoption, saying it "seeks to legitimize extrajudicial killing under legislative cover." Hamas, which controls Gaza, issued a statement on Monday evening asserting that the bill's approval "threatens the lives" of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and called on the international community to "ensure the protection of our prisoners."

️ The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has already petitioned the country's Supreme Court against the law, claiming it "is unconstitutional, discriminatory by design, and—for West Bank Palestinians—enacted without legal authority." The Supreme Court must now decide whether to hear the challenge. Israel has executed only two people in its history, one of whom was the infamous Nazi official Adolf Eichmann, who played a key role in perpetrating the Holocaust.

Source: www.bbc.com