Palestine condemns Israeli death penalty law as ‘war crime’

Palestinian authorities on Monday denounced the Israeli Knesset’s passage of a law imposing the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, labeling the legislation a war crime. In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, the Palestinian Authority said the measure constitutes a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,” particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, which guarantees protections for individuals and the right to a fair trial.

Legislation condemned as escalation of occupation policies

“This law constitutes a war crime against the Palestinian people and is part of the escalating policies and measures pursued by the occupying authorities throughout the Palestinian territory, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem,” the statement read. The Palestinian Authority warned of serious repercussions stemming from what it called “racist laws,” which it said would heighten tensions and undermine regional stability.

Call for sanctions and accountability

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry separately described the legislation as a “dangerous shift toward legalizing genocide, and adopting extrajudicial executions.” The ministry added that the law places Israel “in direct confrontation with international law” and called on the global community to impose sanctions, isolate Israeli institutions, activate accountability mechanisms, and prioritize the protection of Palestinian detainees. The law was approved in its second and third readings by a vote of 62 to 48, with one abstention; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the measure.