The Israeli parliament has passed a law that would allow Palestinians convicted of deadly terrorist attacks to be executed. In theory, Israeli Jews could also be subject to the death penalty under the law.  ‘But in practice, this is unlikely to happen,’ the British media outlet BBC wrote, ‘because the death penalty would only be applied when the attack was carried out in disregard of the existence of the state of Israel.’

Critics say the law is discriminatory. European countries have warned that the law could endanger democratic norms. 

The Israeli parliament voted 62 to 48 in favor of the bill on Monday. The law states that anyone convicted of a terrorist attack by an Israeli military court can be executed within 90 days. The death penalty can be extended to 180 days. 

The far-right pushed for the law to be passed. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Governor played a key role in its implementation. After the vote, he posted on social media. “We made history!!! We kept our promise.”

Limor Son Haar Malech, a member of the Ben-Governor party, said the law was necessary for Israel’s security. She survived an attack by a Palestinian gunman. Her husband was killed. “My husband’s killers were eventually released from prison. One of them attacked Israel on October 7, 2023,” she said.

Yair Golan of the opposition Democratic Party criticized the bill. He said such a bill would lead to international sanctions. “It will not help Israel’s security one bit. Britain, France, Germany and Italy have already expressed their concern before the vote. It undermines Israel's commitment to democratic norms,' he said.