‘Dangerous escalation’: World reacts to Israel passing death penalty law

Human rights groups and Palestinian leaders condemn Israel’s approval of death penalty for Palestinians

Human rights groups and Palestinian leaders have strongly criticized Israel’s recent passing of a law that allows for the use of the death penalty against Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks. The legislation, approved by Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, makes hanging the default punishment for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank found guilty of killing Israelis.

The law was championed by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and passed with 62 votes to 48. Ben-Gvir celebrated the passage of the law, rejecting international calls to withdraw it and stating that Israel will not submit to pressure from the European Union.

Rights advocates and leaders have reacted strongly to the death penalty law:

• Palestinian Authority: The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the law as a “dangerous escalation” and stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian land in the occupied territory.
• Hamas: The Palestinian group denounced the law as a “dangerous precedent” that threatens the lives of Palestinians in Israeli prisons, calling for immediate international action to protect prisoners.
• Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian National Initiative secretary-general: Barghouti warned of the seriousness of the legislation, targeting political prisoners and activists, and criticized the international community for failing to impose punitive measures against Israel.
• Palestinian Centre for Human Rights: The Gaza-based organization condemned the law, stating that it targets Palestinians and violates international human rights and humanitarian law.
• UN Human Rights Office: The UN called on Israel to repeal the discriminatory law, noting that it violates international law and opposes the death penalty under all circumstances.
• Amnesty International: The human rights group called for the repeal of the law, describing it as a display of cruelty and discrimination, highlighting Israel’s pattern of extrajudicial executions and unlawful killings.
• Council of Europe: The Secretary-General denounced the law as a “serious regression” incompatible with human rights standards and called for close monitoring of its implications on Israel’s international obligations.
• Ireland Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee: McEntee condemned the law, expressing concern over its discriminatory nature and emphasizing Ireland’s opposition to the death penalty in all cases.
• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani: Tajani, along with other European countries, requested the withdrawal of the bill, highlighting the commitment to a moratorium on the death penalty and the importance of respecting human dignity.

The passing of the death penalty law has sparked international outrage and calls for Israel to repeal the legislation to uphold human rights and international law.