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Israel’s parliament approved on March 30, 2026, a contentious bill making death by hanging the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in West Bank military courts of lethal attacks, passing by 62 votes to 48.
Championed by far‑right National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir and backed in the vote by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the law also allows Israeli criminal courts to impose death or life terms for killings said to aim at “negating the existence of the State of Israel.” The measure sets executions within 90 days of sentencing (with limited postponement), restricts clemency and lowers some procedural safeguards in military trials; it is not retroactive.
Rights groups and Israeli opposition figures have called the law “discriminatory by design” and several organisations, led by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, filed petitions to the Supreme Court.
International actors — including EU foreign ministers, the UN and human‑rights NGOs — condemned the move.
European officials have warned the legislation could jeopardise parts of the EU‑Israel Association Agreement and prompt diplomatic measures.
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Euronews | Latest breaking news available as free video on demandEU to urge Israel to scrap death penalty bill as 'grave regression'
International Business Times AU RSS FeedIsrael's Knesset Passes Controversial Death Penalty Law for Palestinians Convicted of Deadly Attacks






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