EU urges Israel to reverse death penalty bill for Palestinian terrorists
The Knesset has passed the Penal Bill (Amendment: Death Penalty for Terrorists), allowing courts to impose death sentences for terrorism offences and specific actions against the state.
The EU’s collective response, representing 27 member states, underscores significant diplomatic pressure on Israel to reconsider legislation that could disproportionately affect Palestinians.
“The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and cannot be carried out without breaching the absolute prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment,” stated the EU.
Key developments
The EU will call on Israel to reconsider its newly passed legislation permitting the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of nationalistic killings, expressing serious concerns about its discriminatory implications.
The EU’s response underscores its longstanding stance against capital punishment, classifying it as a violation of the right to life and incompatible with the prohibition against torture and ill-treatment.
EU to press Israel to scrap law allowing execution of convicted Palestinians
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The EU is set to urge Israel to reverse course after its parliament approved a bill allowing the execution of Palestinian convicted of nationalistic killings.
The text, to be issued on behalf of the 27 member states, highlights “particular concern” over what it describes as the bill’s “de facto discriminatory character”.
It reiterates the bloc’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment, stating: “The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and cannot be carried out without breaching the absolute prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment.”
The legislation — the Penal Bill (Amendment: Death Penalty for Terrorists) — passed its final stage on Monday in the Knesset. It allows courts to impose a death sentence for terrorism offences or for “negating the existence of the State of Israel”.
Legal experts warn the measure is likely to be applied almost exclusively to Palestinians, rather than Jewish Israelis accused of similar acts.
Those sentenced would be held in separate facilities and denied family visits. According to Ben-Gvir, executions could take place within 90 days of sentencing.
Israel has carried out executions only twice: in 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was put to death, and in 1948, when officer Meir Tobianski was executed for treason — a conviction later overturned.
“Capital punishment has no proven deterrent effect and makes judicial errors irreversible,” the EU draft adds.
EU member states have until around 10:00 am Brussels today to propose amendments to the text.