Israel Passes Death Penalty for Lethal Attacks by Palestinians
Lawmakers including Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, center, after Israel's parliament passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of lethal terrorism, at the Knesset in Jerusalem on March 30.
Photographer: Itay Cohen/AP PhotoIsrael’s parliament approved the penalty of death by hanging for Palestinians convicted of lethal terrorism, a measure advocates say will reduce the risk of another assault like that carried out by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 and its ensuing swaps of hostages for prisoners.
Promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, the law was ratified by a vote of 62-to-48, with one abstention, in the Knesset on Monday but is expected to face Supreme Court review. Human rights groups condemned it as discriminatory and retrograde given Israel’s de facto moratorium, for decades, on capital punishment.