Israel’s Knesset has approved the first reading of a bill that proposes the death penalty for individuals categorized as terrorists, primarily targeting Palestinians convicted of fatal attacks against Israelis. The vote passed with 39 votes in favor and 16 against, drawing condemnation from both the Palestinian Authority and various human rights organizations.
The legislation aims to amend Israel’s penal code, mandating the death penalty for convicted terrorists whose actions are motivated by racism or hatred towards the Israeli state. This introduces the possibility that Palestinians convicted of such offenses may face capital punishment, while it is unclear whether similar actions against Jewish Israelis would result in the same sentence. The bill still requires two additional readings to become law.
In the same session, the Knesset also approved a bill that would allow the Israeli government to close foreign media outlets without the need for court approval. This legislation would make permanent a temporary order that had previously allowed the closure of the Qatari-owned news network, Al Jazeera. The new law has attracted criticism from the government’s legal advisors and raises concerns regarding its potential impact on press freedoms.
While the death penalty exists in Israel for select crimes, it has been enforced only twice since the country’s founding in 1948. The last execution took place in 1962. Proponents of the current bill argue that it aims to deter terrorism effectively. However, critics warn that the legislation could retroactively apply to past actions, potentially targeting many detained Palestinians connected to recent violence.
Responses from Palestinian rights groups indicate that the bill may escalate tensions, highlighting concerns about collective punishment. The recent history of violence remains potent following a conflict that resulted in the deaths of thousands, heightening the stakes surrounding these legislative debates.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv13rxpgk9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss