JERUSALEM, Mar 31: Israel's parliament approved a controversial bill on Monday that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, a move that has drawn sharp international criticism and an immediate legal challenge.
Sixty-two lawmakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voted in favour of the legislation, while 48 opposed it and one abstained. The bill was championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who celebrated its passage as historic.
"We made history!!! We promised. We delivered," Ben Gvir posted on X after the vote.
The law would make the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank convicted by military courts of carrying out deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism. It allows for reduced sentences, such as life imprisonment, under "special circumstances."
Palestinians in the West Bank are automatically tried in Israeli military courts, while Israeli citizens and residents - including Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of east Jerusalem - are tried in civilian courts. Under the bill, civilian courts could impose the death penalty on those found to have intentionally killed with the aim of harming Israel or ending its existence.
The legislation specifies execution by hanging, to be carried out within 90 days of sentencing, with a possible delay of up to 180 days.
Human rights groups and legal experts say the law creates a discriminatory dual-track system. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel said it had filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to annul the legislation, arguing it violates constitutional principles and entrenches unequal treatment.
"The law creates two parallel tracks, both designed to apply to Palestinians," the group said, adding that its wording in civilian courts "structurally excludes Jewish perpetrators."
International criticism was swift. The European Union condemned the bill as discriminatory, with spokesman Anouar El Anouni calling it "a clear step backwards." The Council of Europe also described the measure as "a serious regression."
Britain, France, Germany and Italy had earlier expressed "deep concern," warning it could undermine democratic principles.
The United States struck a more cautious tone, saying it respected "Israel's sovereign right to determine its own laws," while stressing that any measures must ensure fair trials and legal protections.
Palestinian leaders and groups strongly denounced the move. The Palestinian Authority called it a "dangerous escalation," saying Israel "has no sovereignty over Palestinian land" and accusing it of seeking to legitimise "extrajudicial killing under legislative cover."
The Islamist movement Hamas said the law reflected Israel's policy of "killing and terrorism." �"AFP
