The Israeli Knesset’s National Security Committee approved a bill late Tuesday introducing the legalization of the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of taking part in operations that kill Israelis.
The parliamentary committee’s approval paves the way for voting on the bill in its final second and third readings next week.
The National Security Committee’s approval came despite more than 2000 objections submitted against the bill, signifying a remarkably expedited process for a controversial bill.
The National Security Committee is headed by MK Tzvika Foghel of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by Itmar Ben-Gvir. The bill was initiated by the party’s Limor Son Har-Melech.
The bill imposes the death penalty for those who “intentionally cause the death of a person in a terrorist act.”
It explicitly prohibits pardons, rendering death penalty rulings against Palestinians final, with no possibility for changes or reduction of the severity of the verdicts through subsequent rulings or political decisions.
A unanimous verdict is not required for the death penalty, and executions must be carried out within 90 days at the most from the day the verdict is issued, according to the bill.
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