Israel’s Knesset National Security Committee has approved a proposed death penalty bill against Palestinian detainees, advancing it to the second and third readings ahead of a final vote expected next week.
The bill, pushed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir , introduces a mandatory death penalty that does not require judicial unanimity, with executions to be carried out by hanging within 90 days of confirmation by the Israeli Prison Service.
The final draft of the controversial bill was published in January, formalising executions under a legal framework that applies exclusively to Palestinians and not to Israelis committing the same offence.
Several security and legal bodies, including the National Security Council, Shin Bet and the Foreign Ministry, have raised legal and diplomatic concerns about the draft, arguing that its language is too harsh and could invite international backlash and court challenges, leading to parts of the language being "softened" last week.
Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued the draft was harsher than US capital punishment and could open Israel to further international scrutiny.
Despite earlier amendments that appeared to remove mandatory sentencing, the latest approved version reinstates a compulsory death penalty framework, allowing conviction without judicial consensus.
Another clause was removed defining terror victims as "Israeli citizens", to avoid being accused of discrimination and would have excluded Palestinian victims.
The Israeli military also said the bill violates international law and could lead to its commanders being pulled into foreign legal proceedings and international tribunals.
The legislation, which amends Israel's penal and military law, has faced condemnation, being described as "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law".
The bill will execute Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in attacks defined as terrorism or as motivated by "hatred".
In the occupied West Bank , judges would have to impose a mandatory death sentence for intentional killing, even by a simple majority and even if prosecutors did not request it.
It also removes or severely limits appeals, commute options and pardons, with executions to be carried out within about 90 days of conviction.
The move comes amid escalating rhetoric from far-right officials, including Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly called for executions of Palestinian detainees, and public displays promoting the death penalty by senior Israeli figures in recent months.
If passed, the bill would further cement Israel's use of the death penalty as a weapon of collective punishment against Palestinians under occupation.