Israel Mandates Death by Hanging for Palestinians Convicted of Deadly Terrorism; EU Calls Law Discriminatory
Israel's Knesset approved the bill 62–47, mandating death by hanging for "Palestinian terrorists convicted of deadly acts of terrorism," a major change in a country that has applied the death penalty only once (to Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962) and where courts previously had limited latitude to impose it. The measure drew sharp criticism — EU High Representative Kaja Kallas called it a "grave regression" and warned of its "de facto discriminatory character," opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced it as a "law for public relations" that he says won't apply to Oct. 7 Hamas attackers and predicted it would be struck down, while Otzma Yehudit MK Tzvika Foghel defended it as part of a post–October 7 "offensive approach" and compared the punishment to that used for Nazis.
📌 Key Facts
- The Knesset approved the bill 62–47, enacting sweeping death-penalty legislation targeting terrorism.
- The law formally mandates death by hanging for "Palestinian terrorists convicted of deadly acts of terrorism."
- EU High Representative Kaja Kallas condemned the law as a "grave regression" from Israel’s prior de facto moratorium and expressed deep concern about its "de facto discriminatory character."
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the bill a "law for public relations," said it is more extreme than anything in the U.S., predicted it will be struck down, and noted it does not apply to Hamas terrorists involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
- Otzma Yehudit MK Tzvika Foghel described the law as part of a post–October 7 "offensive approach" and compared the punishment for terrorists to that used for Nazis.
- Historically, Israel has applied the death penalty only once — to Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962 — and courts previously had very limited latitude to impose capital punishment.
📊 Relevant Data
From 2020 to 2026, no Israelis have been prosecuted for killing Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, despite reported incidents of settler violence.
No Israel prosecutions for killing Palestinian civilians in occupied West Bank since start of decade — The Guardian
The number of attacks by extremist Jewish settlers against Palestinians and Israeli forces rose by 27% in 2025, with severe attacks spiking by over 50%.
IDF: Settler violence rose by 27% in 2025, severe attacks spiked by over 50% — The Times of Israel
Arab citizens of Israel account for approximately 21% of the country's total population as of 2023.
Arab citizens of Israel — Wikipedia
Scientific consensus from multiple studies indicates that the death penalty does not have a unique deterrent effect on crime, including potential applications to terrorism.
A Clear Scientific Consensus that the Death Penalty does NOT Deter — Amnesty USA
Israel's new death penalty law mandates the death penalty specifically for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly acts of terrorism, not applying to Israeli citizens convicted of similar acts in civilian courts.
Israel passes law to give death penalty to Palestinians convicted of terrorism — The Guardian
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Provides the exact Knesset vote count: 62–47 in favor of the bill.
- Specifies that the law mandates death by hanging for 'Palestinian terrorists convicted of deadly acts of terrorism,' reflecting its formal framing.
- Includes direct quotes from Otzma Yehudit MK Tzvika Foghel describing the law as part of a post–October 7 'offensive approach' and comparing the punishment for terrorists to that used for Nazis.
- Details the EU’s reaction through High Representative Kaja Kallas, who says the law marks a 'grave regression' from Israel’s prior de facto moratorium and expresses deep concern about its 'de facto discriminatory character.'
- Quotes opposition leader Yair Lapid criticizing the bill as a 'law for public relations,' claiming it is more extreme than anything in the U.S. and predicting it will be struck down, while noting it does not apply to Hamas terrorists involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
- Clarifies that the death penalty has only been applied once in Israel’s history, to Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962, and that courts previously had very limited latitude to impose it.