Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial law introducing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in what authorities define as “terrorism” cases, marking a significant shift in Israeli legal policy.
The legislation was approved by a vote of 62–48 and is expected to apply primarily in military courts operating in the occupied West Bank. The law could allow executions to be carried out within months and limits avenues for clemency or appeal.
Israeli officials argue the measure is necessary to deter deadly attacks. However, critics say the law is discriminatory and raises serious human rights concerns, particularly given its expected application only to Palestinians.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, one of the law’s strongest supporters, was seen celebrating its passage, with videos circulating online that show him partying and pouring drinks while wearing a noose pin (rope that symbolises hanging).
Critics say the law creates a dangerous precedent because it expands the state’s punitive powers within a system already heavily criticized by human rights groups. They argue that, in a context marked by allegations of torture, arbitrary detention and the broad use of “terrorism” charges against Palestinians, the measure could be vulnerable to abuse.
Some analysts and rights advocates also point to rhetoric over the course of the Gaza Genocide, where Palestinians have been broadly labeled as “terrorists” by Israeli political figures, media voices and even the Israeli public. They warn that such narratives could lead to the law being applied far more broadly than intended — effectively turning it into a death sentence for any Palestinian.
Israel has rarely used the death penalty, with its last execution carried out in 1962. The new law is expected to face legal challenges and international scrutiny in the coming months.
