Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued orders on Sunday to begin implementing Knesset legislation that allows the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank. The law, known as the “Execution of Prisoners Law,” was championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Under the law, the Israeli e judiciary is granted absolute authority to impose the death penalty on any Palestinian captured alive after allegedly killing settlers. Katz also instructed the Israeli army to amend its security directives in the West Bank to allow for the execution of prisoners there a move described by Israeli media as a “clear and radical shift in Israeli policy following the October 7, 2023 attack.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Katz, and Ben-Gvir have all expressed support for the step, emphasizing their commitment to “the principle of not pursuing a policy of containment toward those who carry out attacks against Israelis.”
What are the details of the “Execution of Prisoners Law”?
On March 30, the Knesset passed the “Execution of Palestinian Prisoners Law” in its second and third readings.
The bill includes the imposition of a “mandatory punishment” without requiring a unanimous judicial decision. It stipulates that the death penalty be carried out by the Israeli Prison Service within a specified period not exceeding 90 days from its issuance.
The law stipulates the death penalty in the occupied West Bank as the “primary punishment,” while granting the military court “exceptional authority” to impose life imprisonment in “special circumstances.”
The bill also grants the head of the occupation government the authority to petition the court to postpone the execution of a death sentence in “special circumstances,” with the total postponement period not exceeding 180 days despite the standard execution period being set at 90 days from the date of confirmation.
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)