Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir handed out sweets after the bill's first reading was approved
Israel's Knesset has voted in favor of a bill that would permit the death penalty only for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. The law, put forward by a far-right member of Knesset Limor Son Har-Melech, was passed by a count of 39-16. The law would allow for Palestinians found guilty of committing “nationalist-motivated” murders to be sentenced to death (as opposed to life imprisonment). The military courts existing in the West Bank would be allowed to order a death-sentence based on a simple majority rather than with full consensus. Furthermore, commanders in the Israel Defense Forces would no longer have the power to lessen or eliminate the sentence from a convicted defendant.
If the bill becomes law, it would only apply to Palestinians (even if the crimes shared similarities with those by Jewish citizens). It has drawn opposition: human rights groups like Amnesty International have called it discriminatory and in breach of international law. The United Nations also weighed in. Calling the bill a “regressive step", the organization noted its all-too-common application towards proportionately targeting Palestinians living, in their estimation, within the context of occupation.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated that the law was an alarming decision that could place Palestinian lives at risk for extrajudicial executions. A representative of Addameer, a Palestinian human rights organization, referred to the law as a continuation of Israel’s usual encroachment of Palestinian rights.
Proponents of the legislation, such as Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, contend it is essential to fighting terrorism and providing justice to victims of attacks. On the other hand, critics view it as an attempt to institutionalize racial inequality, worsening the rift between Israelis and Palestinians. The bill is still two readings away from becoming law.
References :
https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/news/pressreleases/pages/press28925q.aspx