Trending Now - EU Criticizes Israel's New Death Penalty Law for Terrorism
WHO:
Politico.eu - Several European countries criticized Israel's new death penalty law.
The Times of Israel - The Knesset, Israel's parliament, passed the law.
The Times of Israel - National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a member of the Otzma Yehudit party, championed the legislation.
The Times of Israel - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the measure.
The Times of Israel - MK Limor Son Har-Melech spearheaded the law.
The Times of Israel - MK Gilad Kariv opposed the law and is a member of the Democrats party.
The Times of Israel - The Palestinian Authority condemned the law.
WHAT:
Politico.eu - The Knesset passed the law with a vote of 62-47 after nearly twelve hours of debate.
The Times of Israel - National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir celebrated the law's passage by handing out champagne.
The Times of Israel - The law allows for a simple majority of judges to impose the death penalty, eliminating the requirement for a unanimous decision.
The Times of Israel - The law explicitly excludes Israeli citizens or residents from its provisions, applying only to Palestinians tried in military courts.
The Times of Israel - The law has been described as an "immoral law" by opponents, including MK Gilad Kariv, who stated it contradicts the foundational values of Israel.
The Times of Israel - The Knesset passed a law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks with a vote of 62-47.
The Times of Israel - The law mandates death by hanging as the default punishment for convicted individuals, with execution to occur within 90 days of sentencing.
The Times of Israel - The law excludes Israeli citizens or residents from its provisions.
The Times of Israel - The law does not apply retroactively to the perpetrators of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
The Times of Israel - The law has been described as an "immoral law" by opponents.
WHERE:
The Times of Israel - The law applies to West Bank Palestinians.
The Times of Israel - The Knesset is located in Israel.
WHEN:
The Times of Israel - The Knesset passed the law on March 30th, 2026.
Politico.eu - Hamas attacks against Israel occurred on October 7th, 2023.
Politico.eu - A ceasefire brokered by Trump led to the release of 20 Israeli hostages in October 2025.
WHY:
The Times of Israel - The law is promoted as a response to the October 7, 2023, attacks, but it does not apply retroactively to those perpetrators.
The Times of Israel - Supporters argue the law will strengthen deterrence against terrorism and reduce the incentive for terrorist organizations to abduct Israelis.
The Times of Israel - The law is promoted as a response to the October 7, 2023, attacks.
HOW:
The Times of Israel - The law mandates death by hanging as the default punishment for convicted individuals, with execution to occur within 90 days of sentencing.
The Times of Israel - The law allows judges to impose life imprisonment under "special circumstances," but otherwise mandates the death penalty.
The Times of Israel - The law eliminates the right of appeal for those convicted under its provisions.
(UPDATED March 31, 2026 19:23 UTC)
The Knesset has passed a controversial law allowing a simple majority of judges to impose the death penalty, with a vote of 62 to 47 after nearly twelve hours of debate. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir celebrated the law's passage by handing out champagne, while opponents have labeled it an "immoral law," arguing it contradicts Israel's foundational values and only applies to Palestinians tried in military courts. The law, which mandates death by hanging as the default punishment and requires execution within 90 days of sentencing, is promoted as a response to the October 7thth, 2023, attacks but does not apply retroactively to those involved.
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(UPDATED March 31, 2026 17:26 UTC)
The Knesset passed a controversial law on Monday, mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks, with a vote of 62 to 47. This law, championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allows for execution by hanging within 90 days of sentencing and eliminates the right of appeal for those convicted. Several European countries and the Palestinian Authority have criticized the measure, which opponents have labeled as "immoral" and which does not apply to Israeli citizens or retroactively to the perpetrators of the October 7thth, 2023, Hamas attacks.