Israeli Knesset Passes Death Penalty For Palestinians

The Israeli Knesset has officially approved a controversial bill allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners convicted of lethal attacks in military courts. Passed by a 62 to 48 majority vote in Jerusalem, Israel, the legislation received strong backing from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Under the new mandate, executions are scheduled to be carried out by a prison officer within 90 days of a conviction in the occupied territories. European foreign ministers strongly urged lawmakers to withdraw the legislation, warning that the discriminatory rules “risks undermining Israel’s commitment to democratic principles.”