DaysofPal – The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemned on Tuesday the Israeli Knesset’s approval in its first reading of a bill that would impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, calling it an extension of Israel’s “racist and criminal policies.”
In a statement, Hamas said the legislation represents a “continuation of the Zionist government’s racist and murderous approach” and a “deliberate attempt to legalize organized collective killing against the Palestinian people living under occupation.”
The movement warned that the bill’s passage, “in full view of the international community,” reflects Israel’s persistent defiance of international law and human rights conventions, particularly international humanitarian law and the principles of human dignity and justice.
Hamas urged the international community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations to condemn the law and impose punitive measures on Israel for what it described as “a dangerous and racist act of legislation.”
It also called for international investigative committees to visit Israeli prisons and examine the conditions of Palestinian detainees, who, according to the group, are subjected to systematic torture and abuse that has already led to the deaths of dozens in custody.
The Knesset passed the controversial bill on Monday evening in its first reading, with 39 lawmakers voting in favor and 16 against, out of 120 members. The measure must still pass second and third readings before becoming law, and no date has yet been set for those votes.
The proposed legislation stipulates that anyone who intentionally, or out of indifference, causes the death of an Israeli when motivated by “hatred or hostility toward Israel” shall face capital punishment, and that the sentence cannot be commuted once finalized.
The bill was introduced and fiercely promoted by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the extremist Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party. It was advanced through the Knesset’s National Security Committee on November 3, sparking widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which warned that it could institutionalize racially motivated executions against Palestinians.
Hamas said the proposed law “exposes the true nature of Israel’s occupation, an entity built on systematic violence and apartheid,” and vowed that the Palestinian people “will not be intimidated or broken by such criminal policies.”
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=69285
