Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Mar 31: Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial law introducing death by hanging as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in military courts, triggering widespread international criticism.

The legislation, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies, includes a provision under which Israelis would face capital punishment only if the crime was aimed at “ending Israel’s existence.” Critics argue this clause effectively ensures the law applies primarily to Palestinians and not Jewish Israelis accused of similar offences.

Under the new measure, executions must be carried out within 90 days of sentencing, with limited scope for delay and no provision for clemency. Courts may impose life imprisonment instead, but only in unspecified “special circumstances.”

Israel had abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954. The only execution following a civilian trial was that of Adolf Eichmann in 1962. While military courts in the occupied West Bank already had the authority to impose death sentences, they had not exercised it until now.

The law was strongly championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who hailed the move as a deterrent.

“This is a day of justice for the murdered and a day of deterrence for enemies. Whoever chooses terror chooses death,” he said in parliament.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the legislation as a violation of international law and an attempt to intimidate Palestinians.

“Such measures will not break the will of the Palestinian people or deter their struggle for freedom and independence,” his office said in a statement.

Militant groups including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad denounced the law and called for retaliatory attacks, raising fears of further escalation in the region.

Israeli rights organisations, including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, described the legislation as “institutionalised discrimination,” and have appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing it violates democratic principles and could be unconstitutional.

The bill passed with the support of 62 members in the 120-seat Knesset, with Netanyahu voting in favour despite reportedly seeking to soften certain provisions to limit international backlash.

The move has also drawn criticism from European powers including Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom, whose foreign ministers termed it “de facto discriminatory.” Experts from the United Nations warned that vague definitions within the law could allow capital punishment in cases not strictly related to terrorism.

Rights group Amnesty International reiterated that there is no evidence the death penalty is more effective in reducing crime than life imprisonment.

The law marks the latest step by Netanyahu’s nationalist-religious coalition amid growing international scrutiny over developments in the West Bank and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Legal experts say Israel’s Supreme Court could still intervene and potentially strike down the legislation.