Camilla Jessen
Controversial legislation moves forward as far-right pressure mounts on Netanyahu government.
The Israeli Knesset on Monday passed the first reading of a controversial bill that would introduce the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israeli citizens.
Backed by far-right lawmakers, the proposed legislation received 39 votes in favor and 16 against, according to AFP, cited by Agerpres.
The bill was introduced by a member of the Jewish Power party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has long advocated for harsher punitive measures against Palestinians.
Ben Gvir threatened to withdraw support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition if the bill was not brought to a vote.
For the measure to become law, it must pass two more readings in the Knesset.
The proposal marks the latest move by Israel’s right-wing government to tighten its stance against Palestinians following years of violence and political deadlock.
Under the bill’s language, a person could face the death penalty if they intentionally or through gross negligence cause the death of an Israeli citizen for “racist” or “hostile” reasons, and with the aim of harming the State of Israel or the Jewish people’s presence in the land.
Critics say law targets Palestinians exclusively
Critics argue that the bill is written in a way that ensures it applies only to Palestinians. The law makes no provision for Israeli Jews who kill Palestinians, even under similar circumstances.
The Knesset’s National Security Committee defended the bill on November 3, stating it was meant “to eliminate terrorism at its root and to create a strong deterrent.”
Ben Gvir echoed that message, saying, “Any terrorist who is preparing to commit a crime must know that there is only one punishment: the death penalty.”
The vote comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in effect following the group’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war.
Hamas condemned the proposed legislation as a “flagrant violation of international law,” while the Palestinian Authority called it “a dangerous step towards continuing genocide and ethnic cleansing under the guise of legitimacy.”
Human rights organizations have yet to issue formal responses, but international criticism is expected to intensify if the bill progresses.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
