Israeli Knesset advances bill to impose death penalty on Palestinians for Oct. 7 attacks

Israel’s Knesset has moved forward with highly controversial legislation that would enable the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attacks. The bill passed its first reading late Monday with 19 votes in favor and no opposition during the session, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

Proposed Special Court for Capital Cases

The draft law, introduced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin (Likud), Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism), and lawmaker Yulia Malinovsky (Yisrael Beiteinu), seeks to create a dedicated judicial body. This special court, to be headed by a retired district judge, would handle charges including genocide, harming state sovereignty, aiding an enemy during war, and terrorism. The court’s proceedings would be broadcast live and archived by the state.

Key Provisions and Political Implications

A central and contentious provision allows capital punishment upon conviction. Additionally, those tried under this framework would be explicitly excluded from any future political negotiations or prisoner exchange agreements—a measure seen as preemptively limiting diplomatic flexibility. The bill now moves to the Knesset's Constitution Committee for review before second and third readings, which are required for it to become law.

Context of Detentions and Ongoing Conflict

The push for the law comes as Israel holds thousands of Palestinians detained in connection with the October 7 attacks, though no official numbers have been released. The legislative effort advances amid the ongoing war in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities report over 71,400 killed and more than 171,000 injured since October 2023. Critics argue the bill could violate international law norms, exacerbate tensions, and complicate future conflict resolution.