Israel Brings Back Death by Hanging Only for West Bank Palestinians Not Israelis
In 78 years of history, Israel executed only 2 people — the last being Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962. Capital punishment was practically abolished — until now, when parliament revived it dramatically.
On Monday, lawmakers voted 62-48 to make death by hanging the default penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of killing in terrorist acts. Prime Minister Netanyahu himself voted in favor.
The law mandates hanging within 90 days of sentencing through military courts — not civilian courts used for Israelis. A simple majority can now impose death. The bill won’t apply retroactively to Oct 7 attackers.
Global condemnation erupted. The EU opposed it outright. Britain, France, Germany and Italy raised deep concern. Legal experts confirmed the law effectively exempts all Jewish terrorists — making it discriminatory by design.
Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas said the law won’t break Palestinian will. 2 former Shin Bet chiefs warned it won’t deter militants — and gravely harms Israel’s security and moral standing.
Within minutes of passage, the Association for Civil Rights petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to repeal it. The Palestinian ambassador demanded an emergency Arab League meeting. The legal battle has just begun.
