Knesset approval of death penalty bill perpetuates apartheid policies against Palestinians
Government ministers and MKs at the Knesset on 10 November 2025
Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor writes on 11 November 2025:
The Israeli Knesset’s approval of a bill to impose the death penalty on Palestinian detainees and prisoners constitutes a dangerous escalation that further entrenches Israel’s apartheid system. It reflects a continued destructive intent against the Palestinian people after two years of genocide and demonstrates the extent to which Israel is seeking to codify a discriminatory maximum sentence applied specifically to Palestinians within a judicial system that lacks fair trial guarantees for a population it illegally occupies, in violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Euro-Med Monitor expresses grave concern over the Israeli Knesset’s first reading approval, on Monday evening, 10 November, of a bill permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, adopted by a vote of 39 in favour and 16 against out of 120 members.
The Knesset’s National Security Committee approved the bill on 3 November ahead of yesterday’s first reading. It now proceeds to second and third readings before becoming law. The bill was introduced by the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, led by Itamar Ben Gvir.
The enactment of this bill represents a dangerous escalation in Israeli policy towards Palestinians and confirms the systematic discrimination and violence imposed upon them
The bill stipulates that “any person who intentionally or recklessly causes the death of an Israeli citizen or a person residing in Israel, when motivated by racism, hatred, or intent to harm Israel or the Israeli people, shall be subject to the death penalty.” It further stipulates that the sentence of any person who receives a final death verdict may not be commuted.
The enactment of this bill represents a dangerous escalation in Israeli policy towards Palestinians and confirms the systematic discrimination and violence imposed upon them, which has culminated in the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip for more than two years. This legislative trend forms part of an institutional system of persecution targeting Palestinians based on their national identity, with the ultimate aim of erasing their existence as a protected national group under international law.
Imposing the death penalty against Palestinians constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and of Israel’s obligations as an occupying power. Palestinians are protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from imposing the death penalty except in extremely limited cases involving the most serious premeditated crimes, and only where such penalties are based on laws that were in force before the occupation, not on new legislation introduced by the occupying power.