Israeli law for execution of Palestinian prisoners goes into force in West Bank
Military courts can impose death sentences by a simple majority, and the law excludes Israeli citizens, after legal and international opposition.
- On Sunday night, Gen. Avi Bluth, commander of the Israel Defense Forces Central Command, signed a military order officially enacting a law imposing the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of terror-related murders against Israelis.
- The Knesset passed this legislation on March 30, 2026, with 62 lawmakers in favor and 48 against, allowing military courts to impose capital punishment for terrorism-motivated killings while removing pardon authority.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Defense Minister Israel Katz applauded the implementation, stating "We promised, and we delivered," and emphasizing that "after October 7, Israel is changing the equation."
- The Association for Civil Rights in Israel petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court to overturn the law, arguing it is discriminatory; the court ordered the state to respond by May 24.
- Critics argue that proving the intention to "negate the existence of the State of Israel" may be difficult, while The United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the legislation as violating international fair trial standards.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Death penalty law targeting Palestinians consolidates Israel’s apartheid system
Israel’s death penalty law for Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank has now gone into effect after an Israeli army commander signed a military order. It follows the 30 March vote in the Knesset. National security minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s far-right Otzma Yehudit party initiated the vote but it received overwhelming cross-party support. Following the passing of the bill, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) subm…
Israel Extends Apartheid Death Penalty Law to Occupied West Bank
An Israeli military commander has signed an order to officially extend the state’s apartheid death penalty law to the West Bank, a move that accelerates the annexation of the illegally occupied territory. Major general Avi Bluth of Israel’s Central Command signed the order on Sunday. It means Palestinians convicted of “terrorism” can be executed by hanging, but Israelis would not face the same penalty for the same crime. “This law consolidates m…
Israeli Death Penalty for Terrorists Law Is Signed Into Effect
Israel’s death penalty law for Palestinians from the West Bank convicted of deadly acts of terrorism came into effect on May 17, after the commander of the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Central Command, Maj. Gen Avi Bluth signed the military order. The order requires a military court presiding over the prosecution of terrorists whose attacks resulted in the death of a victim to apply the death penalty under specific conditions, unless the court fin…
Israel joins MENA execution states after enforcing death penalty
Israel's death penalty law targeting Palestinians became fully operational on Sunday evening and was extended to the occupied West Bank following an order signed by Israel’s Central Command chief, Major General Avi Bluth. The move has triggered outrage among Palestinian rights groups and legal experts, who say the law entrenches apartheid and places executions within Israel’s military rule over Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Far-right N…
Death Penalty for Palestinian Terrorists Takes Effect in Judea and Samaria
(JNS)- The law providing capital punishment for convicted terrorist murderers took effect in Judea and Samaria on Sunday after the head of the Israel Defense Forces Central Command signed a military order implementing the measure. “At the instruction of Defense Minister Israel Katz, OC Central Command Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth signed an amendment … enabling […]
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