Israel's parliament has approved a law making the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks. The legislation passed 62 to 48 in the Knesset, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in favor.
The bill requires execution by hanging within 90 days for Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of carrying out deadly attacks deemed "acts of terrorism." The law includes provisions allowing 180-day postponements. While theoretically applicable to Jewish Israelis, executions would only occur where attacks intended to "negate the existence of the state of Israel."
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir championed the legislation. "We made history!!! We promised. We delivered," Ben-Gvir posted following the vote.
European nations including the UK, France, Germany and Italy expressed "deep concern," warning the law risks undermining democratic principles. The Palestinian Authority condemned the measure as legitimizing extrajudicial killings. Hamas threatened consequences for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, calling the law unconstitutional and discriminatory. Israel has executed only two people in its history, including Nazi official Adolf Eichmann.