Israel Knesset Approves Death Penalty for Palestinians

Israel's parliament, the Israel===Knesset, passed a controversial law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, primarily in the West Bank. The bill, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, makes hanging the default punishment in military courts for such offenses, with limited provisions for life imprisonment in 'special circumstances'. Critics, including Israeli and Palestinian rights groups like the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and B Tselem, international bodies such as the United Nations and Amnesty International, and European nations (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy), have condemned the law as discriminatory, a breach of international law, and a threat to democratic principles. They argue it creates a two-tiered legal system that disproportionately targets Palestinians and could escalate violence. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has already petitioned the Israel===Supreme Court of Israel to challenge the law. The Palestine===Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, and militant groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, have also strongly condemned the legislation, with the latter calling for retaliatory attacks. The law is set to take effect within 30 days and applies only to future cases, with executions mandated within 90 days of sentencing and no right to clemency.