Israel introduces the death penalty for Palestinians guilty of terrorist attacks or killing Israelis

The Israeli parliament has adopted a controversial law that establishes the death penalty for terrorists, applicable exclusively to Palestinians found guilty of anti-Israeli attacks.

The law was approved with 62 votes in favor and 48 against, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supporting it. The NGO ACRI immediately challenged the law in the Supreme Court, arguing that it is unconstitutional and discriminatory. According to the law, individuals who intentionally cause the death of others with the aim of affecting Israeli citizens can be sentenced to death. In the West Bank, where Palestinians are tried by military courts, the death penalty becomes implicit for acts of terrorism.

Amnesty International has called for the law to be rejected, warning about its discriminatory application.

The death penalty has been rarely used in Israel, being applied only in two cases throughout its history.