Israel's parliament has taken a significant step toward implementing capital punishment for individuals deemed terrorists in a move that has sparked international concern and domestic political tension.
Bill Passes First Hurdle in Knesset
The Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, approved the first reading of a controversial death penalty bill on November 10, 2025. The legislation proposes executing those Israel considers terrorists acting against the state.
The bill received backing from 39 members in the 120-seat parliament, with only 16 voting against it. However, the proposed law must clear two additional readings before becoming official legislation.
Far-Right Political Push
The legislation was introduced by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister and leader of the Jewish Power party (Otzma Yehudit). Ben-Gvir serves as a crucial ally to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the current coalition government.
Ben-Gvir described the proposed law as "the bill that will deter... that will frighten" potential terrorists. His party colleague, MK Tzvika Foghel, called it "a first step towards creating real deterrence" and promised there would be "no more hotels for terrorists, no more release deals."
The political stakes are particularly high for Netanyahu's government. Ben-Gvir had threatened to withdraw his party's support from the governing coalition if the death penalty legislation wasn't voted on by Sunday, potentially collapsing the government.
What the Legislation Actually Says
The proposed law establishes that any person who "causes the death of an Israeli citizen" either intentionally or through indifferent actions could face execution under specific circumstances.
The criteria for capital punishment include actions stemming from "racist or hostile motive" carried out with the aim of "harming the State of Israel and the national revival of the Jewish people."
For cases tried in military courts operating in the West Bank, the proposal introduces particularly stringent measures. A panel of judges could impose death sentences by a "regular majority" rather than requiring unanimous agreement. Furthermore, death sentences issued under this provision "cannot be commuted" to lesser punishments.
Israel's Historical Stance on Capital Punishment
Israel's current death penalty framework has roots in British Mandate emergency regulations, which allowed colonial authorities to conduct military trials and executions. After Israel's formation in 1948, the country significantly limited capital punishment, abolishing it for murder in 1954 while retaining it for treason, genocide, and specific security offenses.
When Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza in 1967, it extended military law—including death penalty provisions—to these territories. While Israeli military judges have occasionally sentenced Palestinians to death for attacks, every such sentence has been overturned or commuted.
The only execution Israel has ever carried out was in 1962, when Nazi officer Adolf Eichmann was put to death for his role in orchestrating the Holocaust.
Mounting Criticism and Concerns
The proposed legislation has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian authorities and numerous human rights organizations. Critics highlight several alarming aspects of the bill, particularly its retroactive application that could affect individuals already in detention.
Human rights lawyers express concern that the law creates a discriminatory legal system, applying exclusively when Palestinians are accused of killing Israelis through military courts in occupied territories. This creates a situation where one population faces punishments not equally applied to others.
Organizations monitoring the situation argue that introducing formal death penalties in this context could widen the protection gap between Israelis and Palestinians. They also note that while Israel hasn't conducted judicial executions in decades, security forces have used lethal force during arrests, protests, and targeted operations.
The bill's progression comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and represents a significant shift in Israel's approach to dealing with security threats and terrorism-related cases.
