The Israeli Knesset plenum approved the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in its second and third readings on Monday evening, with the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The bill passed with 62 votes in favor and 48 against. The bill was initiated by Knesset member Limor Son-Harmelach and spearheaded by the extremist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly boasted about torturing, starving, and committing other crimes against Palestinian prisoners. The Knesset’s National Security Committee approved the bill last Tuesday, which stipulates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of carrying out attacks that killed Israelis, before its final approval by the plenum on Monday evening. According to its text, the bill includes a mandatory sentence without requiring a unanimous judicial decision, and the execution of the death penalty by hanging by the Israeli Prison Service, to be carried out within a specified period not exceeding 90 days from its issuance.

Source: Egypt Independent March 31, 2026 09:20 UTC