Israel’s Parliament has passed a new law that imposes the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of carrying out fatal attacks. Under this legislation, the death penalty will become the default punishment for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank who are found guilty by a military court of intentionally committing deadly acts considered terrorism. The law is set to come into effect in 30 days.

The legislation will not be applied retroactively. This means it will not affect prisoners currently held by Israel, including those involved in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which led to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. However, media reports suggest that the law is likely to face legal challenges, which could delay or prevent its implementation.

Soon after the bill was passed, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition in the country’s highest court challenging the law. The group described the legislation as discriminatory by design. It also argued that the Israeli parliament does not have legal authority over Palestinians living in the West Bank, as they are not Israeli citizens.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly criticised the move. He called the law a violation of international law and said it is a failed attempt to intimidate Palestinians. Israel has historically used the death penalty very rarely. The last execution carried out by the country was in 1962, when Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was put to death.