The EU must not wait till Israel starts executing Palestinians
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, EU Foreign Affairs head Kaja Kallas and EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica hold a press conference in Brussels on 24 February 2025
Tamam Abusalama writes in Al Jazeera on 20 April 2026:
Preparations for the implementation of Israel’s new death penalty law have already begun. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has boasted that a new prison wing is under construction where the killings will take place, and new “red” uniforms for the Palestinian prisoners have already been ordered.
Meanwhile, the global “condemnations” have ceased. Like others, the European Union, which prides itself on high human rights standards, continues to look away. This is despite the fact that its Association Agreement with Israel has a clear clause that demands respect for human rights.
Official reactions have been nothing short of disgraceful.
When the bill was cleared by the National Security Committee of the Knesset late last month, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs, Anouar El Anouni, described the measure as “deeply concerning” and affirmed the bloc’s opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.