Israel extends death penalty for terrorists to West Bank

An order issued by the commander of the Israel Defence Forces’ Central Command has extended Israel’s newly approved death penalty for terrorists to the West Bank.

The measure follows legislation passed in March by the Knesset, which introduced the death penalty for certain terrorism offences and is expected to be applied primarily to Palestinians convicted of attacks, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Legal and security officials had previously warned against extending Israeli civilian legislation to the West Bank, arguing it could raise concerns over de facto annexation, particularly given that Palestinians in the territory are not Israeli citizens.

The law includes provisions stating it applies to individuals who commit acts “with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel.” Critics say the wording effectively limits its application almost exclusively to Palestinians, while making it difficult to apply to Jewish nationalist offenders.

According to the order, military courts in the West Bank will be authorised to impose the death penalty in terrorism cases, though judges may opt for life imprisonment if “special reasons” or “special circumstances” justify leniency.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said following the law’s approval that “terrorists who murder Jews will not sit in prison under comfortable conditions, wait for deals or dream of release — they will pay the heaviest price.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel was “changing the game” in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks, adding: “In the face of murderous terror, we do not retreat and we do not accommodate – we defeat it.”

The legislation has drawn criticism from legal advisers, including Justice Ministry representative Lilach Wagner, who described applying the death penalty framework through civilian law in the West Bank as “highly problematic,” according to discussions cited in reports.

Officials advising the Knesset National Security Committee also warned that extending such laws to the territory marks a departure from previous policy, under which legislation was generally not directly applied to the West Bank, particularly when it affects non-citizens.

The move comes amid ongoing debate over the legal framework governing the West Bank, where Palestinians are subject to Israeli military law and military courts operate alongside civilian legal structures.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov