The controversial legislation has been criticized by rights groups, foreign nations, and the UN
Israeli lawmakers led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have been filmed cheering and rejoicing at the passing of a controversial death penalty bill. Rights groups, foreign nations, and even the UN warned that the newly adopted legislation is discriminatory and would disproportionally target Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Under the law that was passed 62-47 in the Knesset on Tuesday, Palestinians found guilty of deadly terrorist attacks aimed at “ending Israel’s existence” would be executed by hanging. In the occupied West Bank, military courts would rule on such cases. In Israel, they are to be processed under the criminal law. Sentences are to be carried out within 90 days of the ruling, with no right of clemency. Judges can only switch death penalty with life imprisonment under some unspecified “special circumstances.”
Ben-Gvir, who is seen in a video released by the Knesset producing a bottle of alcohol in the chamber, lauded the development as a “day of justice for the victims and a day of deterrence for our enemies.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also appeared at the Tuesday parliament session in person to vote for the law but did not take part in the celebrations.
“Such laws and measures will not break the will of the Palestinian people or undermine their steadfastness,” the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated.
The law has drawn criticism and condemnation from rights groups, foreign nations and the UN. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Australia issued a joint statement on Monday expressing “deep concern” over the “de facto discriminatory nature” of the legislation and urged West Jerusalem to abandon its plans.
A group of UN experts also called the legislation discriminatory in early February and warned that “Israeli military trials of civilians typically do not meet fair trial standards.” “Denial of a fair trial is also a war crime,” they added.
Israel abolished death penalty for murder in 1954. The only execution carried out in the Jewish state was that of a Nazi Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann on genocide charges in 1962.
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