JERUSALEM - Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, passed a law imposing the death penalty for Palestinian terrorists convicted of lethal acts, sparking international condemnation.
The legislation, backed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, passed 62-47. It mandates hanging for those convicted of deadly terrorism.
Tzvika Foghel of Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party said the move reflects a national shift following the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200.
“The death penalty for terrorists who burned, raped, and mutilated families is akin to justice for the Nazis,” he said.
The European Union criticized the law as discriminatory and regressive.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid rejected the law as politically motivated and legally flawed.
“This law is not for justice or deterrence. It’s for PR,” Lapid said.
Israel has executed only one person since its founding: Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
Supporters say the law disrupts terrorist negotiation tactics involving civilian hostages.
“This shatters the calculus of kidnappers,” said Likud’s Dan Illouz. “It ensures that terrorism leads to death, not diplomacy.”
Critics warn the law’s broad definition of terrorism may target domestic dissenters.
Commentator Amit Segal endorsed executing October 7 perpetrators but called Ben Gvir’s bill a stunt. A rival proposal by lawmakers Rotman and Malinovsky aims for legal precision.