Spanish PM calls Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinians unjust

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez has expressed condemnation after the Israeli Knesset approved the death penalty for terrorists.

“The Government of Spain condemns the death penalty against Palestinians that has just been approved by the Israeli parliament. This is an asymmetrical measure that would not be applied to Israelis who commit the same offences,” he wrote on X.

“Same crime, different punishment. That is not justice. It is another step towards apartheid.” 

He emphasized that, the world must not remain silent.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial bill mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis, a move critics say is one-sided and discriminatory.

The legislation was approved by a 62–48 vote, with support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and backing from far-right coalition members, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The law is set to come into force within 30 days and applies only to Palestinian defendants tried in military courts in the West Bank.

Under the provisions, courts may impose capital punishment on Palestinians convicted of attacks deemed “terror”, while the same penalty will not apply to Jewish Israelis convicted of killing Palestinians.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the bill, calling it “a war crime against the Palestinian people” and arguing that it violates international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. The measure comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where tensions remain high.

By Aghakazim Guliyev