DaysofPal- The Israeli far-right government has revived a controversial bill that would allow the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, a move Palestinian rights groups say aims to legalize ongoing extrajudicial killings.
The Knesset’s National Security Committee approved the draft law on September 28, paving the way for a first parliamentary vote.
The proposal, sponsored by Limor Son Har-Melech from the extremist Jewish Power Party led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, grants the Israeli war minister the power to order military courts to issue execution sentences against Palestinians by a simple majority vote, with no option for appeal or commutation.
Critics say the bill is blatantly discriminatory, applying only to Palestinians.
Rights groups warned it seeks to “legitimize a crime already in practice,” citing the deaths of 75 prisoners in Israeli custody since the Israeli genocide on Gaza began, many from torture, starvation, or medical neglect.
Prisoner affairs expert Hassan Abd Rabbo said the move reflects “deepening extremism” and “an attempt to criminalize Palestinian resistance.”
“While most countries abolish capital punishment, the Israeli occupation is formalizing vengeance,” he said.
Analysts say the law is unlikely to pass due to opposition from some government factions and concerns over international backlash.
Yet, experts warn the proposal marks a new low in Israeli policy, turning decades of extrajudicial executions into potential state law.
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