Did Israel make killing Palestinians legal? - Video
Israel’s parliament has advanced a controversial bill that could allow the death penalty for Palestinians accused of killing Israelis.
The legislation, approved 4–1 by a Knesset committee, must still pass three readings in the full parliament before becoming law.
According to Middle East Eye, the bill would enable Israeli courts to impose capital punishment on Palestinians convicted of murder, especially when the motive is deemed “nationalistic” or “ideological.”
However, it would not apply to Israeli citizens, including settlers, who kill Palestinians under similar circumstances. The proposal, championed by Limor Son Har-Melech of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party and backed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has ignited fierce debate about discrimination, legality, and timing amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Legal experts and government officials have already raised red flags. The committee’s legal adviser reportedly warned that the vote may be invalid because it was held during the Knesset’s recess and without consultation with key security bodies.
Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coordinator for hostages, cautioned that pressing ahead with the bill could endanger Israeli captives still held in Gaza.
Opposition lawmakers described the measure as “an act of unprecedented savagery,” arguing it risks institutionalising a two-tier justice system, one that applies capital punishment only to Palestinians.
Israel formally abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1954. Since then, it has been reserved only for extreme cases such as genocide or treason, with the country’s sole execution being that of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
Although several attempts have been made in recent decades to revive capital punishment for terrorism, none have become law.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
