Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 3,
2026 – Amnesty International called on Israel to withdraw proposed death
penalty legislation targeting Palestinians, stating it entrenches apartheid.
The human rights group described the bills as reserving punishment for and
weaponising it against Palestinians. The Knesset advanced three bills on
February 2, 2026, with preliminary approval.
Amnesty's statement highlighted the legislation's focus on
terrorism offences by Palestinian perpetrators. The bills propose mandatory
death sentences for murder during terrorism. Israel's current law reserves
capital punishment solely for Nazi war criminals.
Amnesty International's Specific Criticism of Israeli Death Penalty Bills
Amnesty International Middle East Director Katie Lambden
stated:
"These bills represent the latest escalation in Israel's apartheid against Palestinians."
The organisation argued the legislation discriminates by
targeting Palestinian suspects exclusively. Capital punishment applies only in
cases involving Palestinian perpetrators of murder.
The group demanded immediate withdrawal of all three bills
from the Knesset legislative process.
Details of Three Death Penalty Bills Approved in Preliminary Knesset Reading
Bill One, sponsored by MKs Dan Illouz and Tzachi Hanegbi
(Likud), mandates death for any Palestinian murdering an Israeli civilian or
soldier during terrorism. Bill Two, by MK Simcha Rotman (Religious Zionism),
applies death penalty to murders inside Israel by Palestinians. Bill Three,
proposed by MKs Zvika Fogel and Tally Gotliv (Likud), mandates execution for
vehicular attacks killing Israelis.
All three passed preliminary reading February 2 by 46-14
votes each.
Current Israeli Capital Punishment Law Prior to New Death Penalty Proposals
Israel's Basic Law permits death penalty exclusively for crimes against humanity during the Nazi regime. Adolf Eichmann executed 1962 remains sole case. Military courts in West Bank impose death sentences on Palestinians, requiring Knesset confirmation.
No executions carried out since 1962 under civilian jurisdiction.
Knesset Voting Breakdown on Preliminary Death Penalty Legislation Approval
Bill One: 46 Yes, 14 No, 0 Abstentions. Likud, Shas, United
Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism supported unanimously. Yesh
Atid, National Unity opposed entirely.
Second and third readings scheduled post-Passover recess.
Statements from Bill Sponsors Advocating Mandatory Death Sentences
MK Dan Illouz:
"Murderers of Jews deserve death without exception."
MK Zvika Fogel:
"Deterrence demands capital punishment for Palestinian terrorists."
MK Tzachi Hanegbi:
"Time ended for life sentences to baby killers."
Sponsors cited 1,200 Israeli deaths since October 7, 2023
Hamas attack.
Israeli Government Coalition Support for Death Penalty Expansion Legislation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed bills
post-preliminary vote. Justice Minister Yariv Levin scheduled committee
hearings February 15. Coalition agreement mandates advancement of capital
punishment proposals.
27 MKs from coalition parties co-sponsored legislation.
Israeli Opposition Parties' Rejection of Death Penalty Bills in Knesset
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid: "Death penalty solves
nothing, stains Israel morally." National Unity MK Benny Gantz:
"Reckless legislation weakens Jewish democratic state." Hadash-Ta'al
condemned as racist apartheid laws.
Opposition proposed counter-bill maintaining life
imprisonment maximum.
Palestinian Authority Response to Israeli Death Penalty Legislation Advancement
PA President Mahmoud Abbas:
"Apartheid state reveals true face through racist laws."
PLO Executive Committee called for international sanctions.
Hamas praised bills as proof of Zionist barbarism.
PA Foreign Ministry filed ICC complaint February 3.
Hamas Gaza Statements Following Knesset Death Penalty Vote Outcome
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem: "Zionists expose genocidal
intentions openly." Military wing vowed intensified resistance operations.
October 7 attack referenced as response to occupation.
Rocket barrages launched from Gaza post-vote announcement.
West Bank Military Court Death Sentences Context Pre-Legislation
Judges sentenced 34 Palestinians to death since 2015, all suspended pending Knesset approval. Sentences involved stabbings, shootings against Israelis. Appeals rejected by Jerusalem District Court.
No executions enforced under military jurisdiction.
Palestinian Prisoners Club Data on Death Penalty Threatened Detainees
Club reported 180 Palestinians facing potential death
penalty post-legislation. 70% charged with murder during intifada actions.
Administrative detention applied to 5,000 others.
Club director Abd al-Aziz al-Issawi called for general
strike.
European Union External Action Service Statement on Israeli Bills
EU spokesman: "Deeply concerned by discriminatory death
penalty proposals." E3 foreign ministers scheduled Tel Aviv consultations.
Sanctions against MK sponsors under consideration.
Embassies issued travel advisories for West Bank.
United Kingdom Foreign Office Reaction to Knesset Death Penalty Approval
Foreign Secretary David Lammy:
"UK opposes death penalty universally, concerned by discriminatory targeting."
FCDO summoned Israeli ambassador February 3. Arms export
licences review initiated.
Parliamentary debate scheduled February 10.
United States State Department Position on Israeli Capital Punishment Legislation
Spokesperson Matthew Miller: "Monitor closely due
process concerns." Trump administration prioritised counter-terrorism
cooperation. Congressional Jewish caucus divided on support.
No immediate policy changes announced.
B'Tselem Israeli Human Rights Group Analysis of Apartheid Claim
B'Tselem director Yuli Novak: "Bills codify apartheid
regime legally." Report documented dual legal systems West Bank. 700,000
settlers under civil law, 3 million Palestinians under military.
Petition filed High Court of Justice challenging
constitutionality.
Breaking the Silence Ex-IDF Soldiers' Statement Against Death Penalty Bills
Organisation of 1,500 veterans: "Military occupation
demands moral reckoning, not vengeance." Testimonies cited wrongful
convictions Palestinian detainees. Knesset testimony requested.
Public demonstration Jerusalem February 4 planned.
Peace Now Settlement Monitoring Group Connection to Legislation Context
Group reported 12,000 new housing units approved 2025. Bills
coincide Area C annexation push. Ministerial Committee for Settlement
Regularisation active.
International Court of Justice advisory opinion pending.
Addameer Prisoner Support Association Prisoner Numbers Update
7,000 Palestinians detained administrative detention. 4,500
security prisoners Gaza origins. Solitary confinement 80 cases documented.
Hunger strike by 1,200 prisoners commenced February 3.
Jerusalem Media Centre Palestinian Casualty Statistics Since October 2023
43,000 Palestinians killed Gaza operations. 1,200 West Bank
fatalities military raids. Israeli deaths 1,500 including October 7.
Data compiled UN OCHA reports.
United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Statement
Rapporteur Francesca Albanese: "Legislation violates international humanitarian law." Urgent session requested Geneva. Fact-finding mission West Bank authorised.
International Committee of Red Cross Position on Capital Punishment Bills
ICRC Jerusalem delegation: "Family visits essential
fair trials prerequisite." Monitored 200 military court hearings 2025.
Impartiality concerns raised privately.
Human Rights Watch Middle East Director Sarah Leah Whitson Comment
Whitson: "Israel pioneers apartheid through legislative
discrimination." Shadow report prepared UN submission. Sanctions
legislation drafted US Congress.
Al-Haq Legal Centre West Bank Military Court Documentation
Centre monitored 1,200 trials 2025, 99% conviction rate.
Juvenile cases 200 annually. Death penalty threats issued 50 minors.
Legal aid provided 800 detainees.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel Medical Neglect Claims in Prisons
Group documented 45 deaths custody since 2023. Cancer
treatment delayed 300 cases. Ofer Prison clinic shortages reported.
Petition filed Supreme Court medical rights.
Yesh Din Legal NGO Petition Strategy Against Death Penalty Legislation
NGO filed preliminary injunction request. Basic Law Human
Dignity equality clauses cited. High Court hearing scheduled February 20.
Amicus brief Amnesty International submitted.
Committee Against Torture UN Review Israel Compliance Status
Last review 2016 criticised administrative detention
practices. Death penalty abolition recommended. Periodic report overdue 2025.
Shadow reports submitted NGOs.
Rabbinical Council Religious Zionist Views on Capital Punishment Bills
Council of 500 rabbis: "Torah mandates death for
murderers of Jews." Sanhedrin revival discussions revived. Halachic
analysis published settler media.
Meretz Party Remaining MKs Position on Knesset Death Penalty Vote
MK Mossi Raz: "Final nail democratic coffin."
Party dissolved 2024, independents oppose coalition. Gantz defection impacted
opposition strength.
Shin Bet Domestic Intelligence Agency Role Proposed Executions Process
Agency recommended life sentences deter effectively.
Interrogation methods reviewed post-NSC directive. 95% intelligence derived
Palestinian informants.
Military Advocate General Oversight Military Court Death Sentences
Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi authorised 12 death
sentences suspension. Appeal success rate 8%. Civilian oversight mandated
Knesset.
IDF Spokesperson Statement Post-Knesset Preliminary Legislation Approval
Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin: "Operations continue unabated
legal developments." Gaza Division reinforced buffer zone. West Bank
brigades increased patrols.
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai Security Assessment Death Penalty Impact
Shabtai: "Deterrence marginal, intelligence
primary." 2025 foiled 450 attacks. Jenin operations intensified post-vote.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara Legal Opinion on Bills Constitutionality
Baharav-Miara reserved comment pending full review. Past
opinions blocked similar proposals. Cabinet secretary consultations ongoing.
Supreme Court President Yizhak Amit Preliminary Reaction Indicated
Amit: "Judiciary safeguards minority rights
vigilantly." Conference speech hinted proportionality test application.
Law clerks researching precedents.
Bar Association Israel Ethical Guidelines Capital Cases Defence
Association mandated two-lawyer minimum capital trials. Pro
bono fund established 2025. Training programme 200 attorneys enrolled.
International Bar Association Death Penalty Resolution Israel Specific
IBA condemned discriminatory application August 2025.
Monitoring team Jerusalem dispatched. Report presentation annual conference.
Carter Center Election Observers West Bank Violence Context Monitoring
Observers noted 150 attacks settlers Palestinians 2025.
Death penalty legislation impacts stability assessment. Quarterly report issued
January.
Norwegian Refugee Council Protection Cluster West Bank Displacement Data
45,000 Palestinians displaced Masafer Yatta. Demolition
orders 1,200 structures. Settler violence 800 incidents documented.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini Statement Prisons Context
Lazzarini: "Education access essential
deradicalisation." 5,500 students Gaza origins detained. Family visits
suspended 90% cases.
Quartet Representatives Joint Statement Israeli-Palestinian Legal Disparities
US, EU, UN, Russia envoys: "Equal application law
essential two-state viability." Jerusalem meeting February 5 scheduled.
Technical committees reactivated.
Abraham Accords Normalisation States Positions on Death Penalty Bills
UAE: "Counter-terrorism cooperation paramount."
Bahrain parliament praised legislation. Morocco abstained public comment. Sudan
silent.
Jordanian Government Summoning Israeli Ambassador Over Legislation Reaction
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi: "Incendiary policies
threaten peace treaty." Parliament voted censure motion. Amman border
crossings reviewed security.
Egyptian Intelligence Coordination Post-Knesset Death Penalty Developments
Cairo meetings resumed Shin Bet counterparts. Gaza ceasefire
linkage
discussed. Rafah crossing operations unaffected.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Condemnation Israeli Capital Punishment Expansion
Ankara: "State terrorism legislated openly." Trade
relations review initiated. Hamas Istanbul office activities intensified.
Qatari Foreign Ministry Comment Tied Regional Stability Concerns
Doha: "De-escalation imperative hostage
negotiations." $100 million monthly aid Gaza continued. Ceasefire
mediators convened.