Rights groups urge EU action against Israeli death penalty law

A coalition of 31 civil society organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, has urged the European Union to take immediate action against a newly passed Israeli law that mandates the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the groups expressed deep shock over the Knesset’s decision, noting that while the law does not explicitly mention ethnicity or nationality, it “is effectively designed to target Palestinians.” The organizations, which have worked for years in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, called the measure a grave breach of human rights.

Violation of international treaties

The groups argued that the law violates internationally recognized safeguards for those facing capital punishment, constituting a breach of the right to life, international humanitarian law, and human rights law. They cited violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Hague Regulations, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention Against Torture. The EU has long considered the death penalty “cruel, inhumane, and incompatible with human dignity” under all circumstances, the statement noted, adding that previous EU efforts to persuade Israel to change its policies have so far yielded no results.

Execution method and Türkiye’s position

Under the new legislation, executions are to be carried out by hanging, administered by guards appointed by the Israeli Prison Service whose identities remain secret and protected from legal accountability. For Türkiye, which abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its EU accession bid and has consistently opposed capital punishment globally, the Israeli law stands in stark contrast to Ankara’s own legal and humanitarian stance. Turkish officials have repeatedly called for the protection of Palestinian rights and have condemned discriminatory legal measures. As the EU considers its response, Türkiye continues to advocate for international law and human rights standards across the region.