Israeli parliament advances death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners

Israel's parliament has advanced controversial legislation that would permit capital punishment for Palestinian prisoners convicted of lethal attacks against Israeli citizens. The Knesset approved the bill in its initial reading late Monday, with 39 members voting in favor and 16 opposing the measure that was proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's far-right Jewish Power party.

Legislative Content and Process

The proposed legislation specifies that "any person who intentionally or through recklessness causes the death of an Israeli citizen, when motivated by racism, hatred, or intent to harm Israel, shall face the death penalty" and prohibits any subsequent reduction of sentences once imposed. Following the initial approval, the bill has been referred to parliamentary committees for preparation ahead of required second and third readings before potentially becoming law. The legislative process occurs amid ongoing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank that have resulted in thousands of Palestinian casualties.

Political Reactions

Minister Ben-Gvir celebrated the parliamentary action on social media, declaring "Jewish Power is making history. We promised and delivered. The death penalty law for terrorists has passed its first reading." The Knesset session witnessed intense confrontations, including a near-physical altercation between Ben-Gvir and Arab lawmaker Ayman Odeh, highlighting the deeply divisive nature of the proposed legislation within Israeli politics. Human rights organizations have consistently opposed the measure, warning it specifically targets Palestinians and exacerbates systemic discrimination.

Broader Context

The legislative development occurs as over 10,000 Palestinians remain detained in Israeli prisons, where human rights monitors from both Israeli and Palestinian organizations have documented widespread torture, medical neglect, and starvation conditions that have resulted in multiple detainee deaths. The death penalty proposal represents one of several hardline measures advanced by Israel's governing coalition amid ongoing regional tensions and international scrutiny of Israeli military operations in Palestinian territories.