Israel has passed legislation imposing mandatory death sentences on Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks on Israelis, a move widely condemned as racist. The law applies only to Palestinians, specifically those residing in the West Bank, referred to in Israeli law as 'Judea and Samaria'. Jewish Israelis committing similar acts are exempt.
The death penalty must be carried out within 90 days by hanging. Israel has executed only two people in its history: one for treason (later found erroneous) and Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. Until recently, Israel was among seven countries that abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes.
Critics argue the law is blatantly discriminatory and will not deter attacks but create martyrs. It applies in military courts, where only Palestinians are tried, and the death penalty is the default unless 'special circumstances' allow a life sentence. In civilian courts, the law targets those who 'intentionally cause death with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel', a definition that excludes Jewish terrorists.
The legislation comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, according to figures Israel now accepts as accurate. More than half the casualties were women and children. The death toll represents nearly 10% of Gaza's population.
