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Israel weighs death penalty for Palestinian convicts
Israel's parliament is debating a contentious bill to impose capital punishment on Palestinians convicted of fatal terrorist attacks, marking a sharp shift in the country's legal stance since the 1962 execution of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.
Political push follows October 7 attacks
Far-right lawmakers argue the measure is a moral and strategic necessity after Hamas-led attacks killed 1,200 Israelis in October 2023. Zvika Fogel, chair of the parliamentary national security committee, called it "the most Jewish and decent" response. The bill aims to deter future hostage-takings and reduce prisoner swaps, which have freed hundreds of Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis.
Jewish Power, the party behind the legislation, has worn golden noose-shaped lapel pins in parliament. The bill passed its first reading 39-16 in November 2025, with supporters distributing sweets to celebrate.
Human rights groups decry racial bias
Critics, including Israeli NGOs like HaMoked, call the proposal "racially designed," as it would apply only to Palestinians tried in military courts. Tal Steiner, HaMoked's executive director, said: "The law is meant to apply only to Palestinians, never to Jews."
The bill mandates hanging within 90 days for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, after a mandatory appeal. In civilian courts, the death penalty would be optional. Past proposals failed due to opposition from security officials, who warned it would escalate tensions.
Bereaved families divided
Families of October 7 victims are split. Dr. Valentina Gusak, whose daughter was killed at the Nova music festival, supports the bill as a "vaccine against the next murder." Others, like Arab-Israeli lawmaker Aida Touma-Suleiman, warn it fuels revenge: "You cannot run courts by instincts of revenge."
"It's preventive treatment-what it's called in medicine. It's a vaccine against the next murder."
Dr. Valentina Gusak, bereaved mother
Legal and ethical concerns
Opponents argue the death penalty violates Jewish law, risks executing innocents, and breaches international treaties. Israel has only executed two people-Eichmann and Meir Tobianski, a military captain posthumously exonerated for treason in 1948.
Touma-Suleiman predicts the Supreme Court will strike down the law, but notes Jewish Power could use the ruling to attack judicial independence ahead of elections. The party has already pushed to curb court powers.
Security crackdown intensifies
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a Jewish Power leader, has faced criticism for policies in Israeli prisons. The UN Committee against Torture reported "widespread torture" of Palestinian detainees post-October 7, allegations Israel denies. A record 110 Palestinian security detainees have died under his tenure, per Israeli media.
A parallel bill would create a military tribunal for Hamas's Nukhba fighters, with potential death sentences for war crimes. Fogel dismissed bias claims: "My bill talks about terrorists. There's no discrimination here."
