25.03.2026 06:51
The Israeli Parliament's National Security Committee approved the death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners and sent it to the general assembly. The bill stipulates that the execution of the death penalty will be carried out under special conditions. Even Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had objected to the initial version of the law.
The Israeli Parliament's National Security Committee approved a controversial death penalty bill aimed at Palestinian prisoners and sent it to the parliament's general assembly.
THEY WILL BE HANGED BY GUARDS
According to a report by Israeli state television KAN, the committee made some changes to the bill that passed the first vote. According to the bill sent to the Israeli Parliament, the execution of the sentence will be carried out by guards appointed by the Israeli Prison Service through hanging. The guard who carries out the execution will be granted anonymity and criminal immunity.
LAWYER MEETINGS WILL BE VIDEO ONLY
Those sentenced to death will be placed in a separate detention center, and no one except authorized personnel will be allowed to visit; lawyer meetings will only be conducted via video.
The execution of the sentence will be carried out within 90 days from the date of the decision. During the execution, the prison director, a representative from the judiciary, an official inspector, and a representative from the convict's family will be present.
UNANIMITY CONDITION FOR DEATH PENALTY WILL NOT BE REQUIRED
The bill states that it will be possible to impose the death penalty without the need for a request from the prosecution, and that the unanimity condition for the death penalty will not be required, with the decision being made by simple majority.
It was reported that military courts, which Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank are subjected to, could also impose the death penalty, and that the bill includes the right of the Minister of Defense to express an opinion to the judicial panel regarding this penalty. It was noted that if death sentences are imposed on Palestinian prisoners under Israeli occupation, the avenues for pardon and appeal will be closed. For prisoners tried in Israel, the death penalty could be commuted to life imprisonment. According to the bill, "killing an Israeli or someone living here with the intent to deny the existence of Israel" is cited as a justification for imposing the death penalty.
BEN-GVIR WELCOMED IT ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security and one of the proponents of the far-right law demanding more violence, oppression against Palestinians, and a more aggressive policy in the region, stood out by attending committee meetings with a gold-colored rope badge pinned to his jacket. Ben-Gvir stated regarding the death penalty law targeting Palestinian prisoners, "Today is a historic day. The only punishment for those who kill Jews just because they are Jewish is death... This shows our enemies that there is no forgiveness for Jewish blood. We will pursue a strict, uncompromising policy against terror until victory."
NETANYAHU HAD OBJECTED TO THE INITIAL VERSION OF THE LAW
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had requested the "softening of the sections that violate international law" of the death penalty law advanced by the far-right coalition partners demanding more violence, oppression against Palestinians, and a more aggressive policy in the region. However, it drew attention that the bill passed by the committee included severe conditions expanding the death penalty.