Monday’s vote in the Knesset to impose a one-sided death penalty bill on Palestinians will further cement Israel’s system of apartheid.
By Minnah Arshad, Zeteo
Israel’s parliament approved a one-sided death penalty measure to execute Palestinians. It’s one of the most extreme laws in the nation’s history, and will exacerbate the far-right government’s illegal system of apartheid.
Some members of the Knesset, including ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, were seen wearing noose pins in the Knesset on Monday, and celebrating with drinks on live TV after the bill passed. Ben-Gvir said hanging is “one of the options,” as is execution by the electric chair or euthanasia.
The bill drew international condemnation ahead of its passage, including from the European Union, UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and Amnesty International. Human rights groups have vowed to challenge the bill in Israel’s supreme court.
The legislation, which has garnered broad public support in Israel, authorizes executions for “terrorists” who kill “with the intent to deny the existence of the State of Israel,” according to Haaretz – effectively ensuring it won’t apply to any of the settlers who routinely murder Palestinians.
In military courts in the occupied West Bank, execution will now be the default punishment for terrorism. Only Palestinians are tried in these courts, and 96% of people are convicted, though cases are largely built on “confessions” extracted through torture.
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