Israel Advances Controversial Death Penalty Bill for Terrorists Amid Gaza Ceasefire

The contentious vote proceeded during a fragile ceasefire with Hamas amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

A proposed legislation establishing capital punishment for "terrorists" successfully passed its initial reading in Israel's parliament on Monday—legislation that could potentially be applied to Palestinians convicted of fatal attacks against Israeli citizens.

The amendment to Israel's penal code, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and endorsed by the National Security Committee, received approval with 39 votes supporting and 16 opposing. Before becoming enforceable law, the bill must still clear second and third parliamentary readings.

This legislative action took place during a precarious truce with Hamas in the Gaza conflict that has continued since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.

Although capital punishment exists for a limited number of offenses in Israel, the country has effectively become abolitionist in practice—the last execution was carried out in 1962, when Nazi Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann was put to death.

Ben Gvir had previously threatened to withdraw his Jewish Power party from the governing coalition if the proposed legislation wasn't brought to a vote.

A statement released by the security committee including the bill's explanatory notes stated: "Its purpose is to cut off terrorism at its root and create a heavy deterrent."

"It is proposed that a terrorist convicted of murder motivated by racism or hatred towards the public, and under circumstances where the act was committed with the intent to harm the State of Israel... will be sentenced to the death penalty—mandatory," the statement elaborated.

A Gaza ceasefire was implemented last month, and the government continues discussions with the United States and other parties regarding conditions for potentially extending this measure.

Hamas condemned the proposed legislation, stating it "embodies the ugly fascist face of the rogue Zionist occupation and represents a blatant violation of international law."

The Palestinian foreign ministry, based in Ramallah, characterized the bill as a "new form of escalating Israeli extremism and criminality against the Palestinian people."