The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has condemned a new Israeli law that allows the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terror attacks but not for Jewish extremists, calling it a potential war crime. The law, passed by the Israeli Knesset on Monday, has drawn widespread international criticism.
“Its application in a discriminatory manner would constitute an additional, particularly egregious violation of international law. Its application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime,” Türk said. He urged Israel to repeal the law, which he described as “deeply discriminatory” and inconsistent with international obligations.
The European Union expressed concern, with spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stating: “This is a clear step backwards – the introduction of the death penalty, together with the discriminatory nature of the law.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it “a step closer to apartheid,” while Germany, a close ally of Israel, said it could not endorse the measure.
The law makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank found guilty of intentional deadly attacks deemed terrorism by military courts. Executions would be carried out within 90 days of sentencing, and those sentenced would be held in isolation. Israel has rarely used the death penalty; the last execution was of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
Human rights groups have condemned the law. Adam Coogle of Human Rights Watch said it “entrenches discrimination and a two-tiered system of justice, both hallmarks of apartheid.” Oxfam’s Shaista Aziz called it “another horrifying act of violence,” noting that Israel holds over 9,000 Palestinians in its jails under inhumane conditions. The law faces legal challenges in Israel.
