UN condemns Israel's death penalty law for Palestinians
What's the story
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has condemned a new Israeli law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism. The legislation was passed by the Israeli Knesset on Monday. It applies to Palestinians in the West Bank but not to Jewish extremists charged with similar offenses.
Legal concerns
Law deeply discriminatory, says Turk
Turk has called the law patently inconsistent with Israel's international law obligations, including in relation to the right to life, and said it must be promptly repealed. He said it raises serious concerns about due process violations and is deeply discriminatory. He warned that its application in a discriminatory manner would be an additional, particularly egregious violation of international law, and that application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime.
Global backlash
International criticism of Israel's law
The legislation has drawn international criticism, including from European leaders and human rights organizations. European Union spokesperson Anouar El Anouni expressed concern over the bill's discriminatory nature. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez slammed it as an asymmetric measure that violates principles of justice and equality. He said, "Same crime, different punishment. That is not justice. It is a step closer to apartheid."
German opposition
Germany opposed to death penalty law
Germany, seen as one of Israel's closest allies in Europe, also opposed the law. Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said the rejection of the death penalty is a fundamental principle of German policy. He said, "The German government views the law passed yesterday with great concern." He noted, "Such a law would likely apply exclusively to Palestinians in the Palestinian territories."
Law specifics
Death penalty default punishment for deadly attacks in West Bank
The new law makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians guilty of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism by a military court in the Israel-occupied West Bank. Condemned prisoners would be held in a separate facility with restricted visits and legal consultations via video link. Executions are to be carried out within 90 days of sentencing.
Official defense
Israeli officials defend law as security measure
Despite the criticism, Israeli officials have defended the law as a security measure. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who supported the bill, has been seen wearing a noose-shaped lapel pin symbolizing executions under the proposal. The legislation allows courts to impose death sentences without prosecutor requests or unanimous decisions.
HRW critique
Human Rights Watch and Oxfam slam legislation
Adam Coogle of Human Rights Watch slammed the law for entrenching discrimination and a two-tiered system of justice. He called it irreversible and cruel, aiming to expedite executions with less scrutiny. Oxfam's Shaista Aziz also criticized the bill as a violation of international law, highlighting its impact on Palestinians under Israeli occupation.