Israel Passes Controversial Death Penalty Law for Palestinian Terrorists

Tue Mar 31 2026 17:00:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Israel's new law initiates the death penalty as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, prompting global concerns about its implications on democratic values.

In a significant move, Israel's parliament approved a law that enforces the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorist activities, amidst widespread criticism from various countries and humanitarian organizations. The law, championed by far-right national security ministers, risks deepening the political divide and attracting international sanctions. Critics argue it undermines democratic principles and could legitimize extrajudicial killings, while supporters claim it is necessary for security.

Israel's parliament has approved a law that would make the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks.

Critics have described the new law as discriminatory and several European nations warn it risks undermining 'democratic principles'.

The law passed its third and final reading in the Knesset by 62 votes to 48, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in favour.

The bill stipulates that Palestinians convicted in Israeli military courts of carrying out deadly attacks deemed to be 'acts of terrorism' would be executed by hanging within 90 days, with a possible postponement of up to 180 days.

In theory, Jewish Israelis could also be executed under the law - but in practice, this almost certainly would not happen, as the death penalty could only be carried out where the intention of the attack was to 'negate the existence of the state of Israel'.

The legislation was pushed hard by the far-right, with the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir its driving force. After the vote, he posted on X: 'We made history!!! We promised. We delivered.'

A member of Ben-Gvir's party, Limor Son-Har-Melech, who survived an attack by Palestinian gunmen in which her husband was killed, argued that the law was necessary, citing the example of how one of her husband's killers was later released and went on to take part in the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel.

But Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, criticized the legislation and said it would lead to international sanctions, noting: 'The death penalty law for terrorists is an unnecessary piece of legislation designed to get Ben-Gvir more likes. It does not contribute one ounce to Israel's security.'

On the eve of the vote, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy expressed their 'deep concern', stating that the bill risked 'undermining Israel's commitments with regard to democratic principles'.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the law's adoption, asserting it seeks to legitimize extrajudicial killings under legislative cover. Hamas also stated that the approval of the bill threatens the lives of Palestinian prisoners and urged international protection.

Amnesty International urged Israeli authorities to repeal the law, citing it as an infringement of fundamental fair-trial rights. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has already petitioned the Supreme Court against the law, labeling it 'unconstitutional' and 'discriminatory by design.'

The Supreme Court will now have to consider whether to hear the challenge to the bill.

Israel has only executed two people in its history, including the notorious Nazi official Adolf Eichmann.