UN condemns Israel law imposing death penalty on Palestinians

Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, said he was “absolutely appalled” by the measure approved by Knesset. Speaking in Geneva, he expressed hope that Israel’s Supreme Court would intervene to overturn the legislation.

Concerns over discrimination

Lazzarini warned that the law is “extraordinarily discriminatory,” as it applies specifically to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis. He stressed that the global legal trend is moving toward abolishing capital punishment, not expanding its use.

The legislation, passed Monday, establishes the death penalty as the default sentence in such cases, marking a significant shift in Israel’s legal framework regarding security-related offences.

Prison conditions under scrutiny

Human rights groups report that more than 9,300 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli detention facilities, including hundreds of minors and dozens of women. According to these organisations and official Israeli data, detainees have faced harsh conditions, including allegations of mistreatment, inadequate medical care and food shortages.

Such conditions, rights advocates say, have contributed to multiple deaths in custody, raising broader concerns about compliance with international humanitarian law.

Context of ongoing conflict

The development comes amid intensified Israeli measures against Palestinian prisoners following the escalation of military operations in Gaza since October 2023. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction, further heightening international scrutiny of Israel’s policies in both Gaza and the West Bank.

The debate over the new law is expected to continue within Israel’s judicial system and among international institutions, as concerns mount over its legal and humanitarian implications.