Israel adopts law allowing executions for terrorism offenses

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, approved a controversial law introducing the death penalty for terrorism-related killings in final readings on Monday evening, March 30, with 62 lawmakers voting in favour, 48 against, and one abstention.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the vote and backed the legislation, which was spearheaded by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party, as per The Jerusalem Post.

Supporters argue the measure will serve as both a deterrent and a form of justice for victims of terrorism.

Following the vote, Ben-Gvir welcomed the outcome, declaring: “Today, the State of Israel changes the rules of the game: anyone who murders Jews will no longer breathe freely or enjoy prison privileges.” He added, “This is a day of justice for the victims, a day of deterrence for the enemies. No more revolving doors for terrorists, only a clear decision. Those who choose terror choose death. Those who believe do not fear. The people of Israel live!”

Under the law, individuals convicted of intentionally killing as part of a terrorist act may face capital punishment, with judges given discretion to impose either the death penalty or life imprisonment. The legislation specifies that executions would be carried out by hanging by the Israel Prison Service, within a period of up to 90 days following sentencing.

The bill underwent revisions during the legislative process. While an earlier version proposed automatic death sentences and execution by lethal injection, the final version allows judicial discretion in most cases, though automatic capital punishment provisions remain applicable in certain circumstances involving offenders from the West Bank, subject to appeals.

The measure faced strong opposition within the Knesset. Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the legislation, stating: “What is on the Knesset table here is not a law. It is a distorted public-relations stunt, cynically using the justifiable pain and anger of Israeli citizens for political gain.” Lawmakers including Benny Gantz also voted against it, while critics raised concerns over its ethical, legal, and security implications.

International reaction has also been critical. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom urged Israeli lawmakers to abandon the bill, warning it could undermine democratic principles and describing it as having a “de facto discriminatory character.”

Human rights organizations echoed these concerns, arguing that the law could disproportionately affect Palestinians, particularly given differences in legal systems applied in the West Bank.

If implemented, the law would mark a major shift in Israel’s legal system. Capital punishment has been used only twice in the country’s history, most notably in the 1962 execution of Adolf Eichmann.

By Tamilla Hasanova