Israel’s parliament (Knesset) has passed the first reading of a bill that would allow the death penalty for terrorism, marking a controversial step in the country’s legal framework. The legislation was proposed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and was approved by 39 votes to 16 in the 120-member Knesset on Monday, signaling strong support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Critics warn that the bill is likely to be applied almost exclusively to Palestinians who kill Jews, rather than Jewish extremists attacking Palestinians.

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Details of the Proposed Law

According to the draft text, the death penalty would apply to individuals who kill Israelis with “racist” motives and with the intent of “harming the State of Israel and the revival of the Jewish people in its land”, as reported by The Times of Israel.

Human rights organizations argue this wording effectively targets Palestinians. Amnesty International condemned the vote:

“A majority of 39 Israeli Knesset members approved in a first reading a bill that effectively mandates courts to impose the death penalty exclusively against Palestinians,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, senior director for Amnesty’s research, advocacy, policy, and campaigns.

She further called the legislation a “dangerous and dramatic step backwards”, describing it as part of ongoing systemic discrimination and what she called Israel’s apartheid and genocide in Gaza.

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Political Context and Supporters’ Argument

Ben-Gvir celebrated the vote on social media, asserting that his party, Jewish Power, was “making history.” The National Security Committee’s explanatory note for the bill frames it as a measure to cut terrorism at its root and create a heavy deterrent.

While Israel technically retains the death penalty for certain crimes, it has become a de facto abolitionist state. The last execution in Israel was that of Adolf Eichmann in 1962. Previous attempts to introduce similar legislation have failed.

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Timing Amid Ceasefire and Conflict

The vote occurred during a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which came into effect last month. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has been accused of continuing attacks on Gaza, while settlers and military personnel have carried out lethal assaults in the occupied West Bank.

Israel cites ongoing threats from Hamas as justification for military operations. The Palestinian government denounced the proposed bill:

“It embodies the ugly fascist face of the rogue Zionist occupation and represents a blatant violation of international law,” said a Palestinian spokesperson.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called it “a new form of escalating Israeli extremism and criminality against the Palestinian people.”

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Human Rights Concerns

Currently, more than 10,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, including women and children. Both Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations report that detainees face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, leading to numerous deaths.

Critics warn that the legislation could institutionalize discrimination, disproportionately affecting Palestinians and undermining international human rights norms.

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Next Steps for the Bill

The proposed law must pass a second and third reading before it can become official legislation. Human rights groups and international observers are closely monitoring the process, emphasizing potential violations of international law and the Geneva Conventions.