EU and Muslim countries criticize Israel law that provides for death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks

Ben-Gvir, defender of the law that establishes the death penalty for Palestinians, wearing the brooch with the symbol of the gallows. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo The European Union released a note criticizing and calling “discriminatory” the law approved by the Israeli Parliament earlier this week that determines that death by hanging is the standard sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts for lethal attacks. Eight Muslim-majority countries also released a joint statement this Thursday (2) “strongly condemning” the law (find out more below). Approved by the Israeli Parliament on Monday (30), the new law will apply to those convicted of murder whose attacks aim to “end the existence of Israel”. In practice, this means the death penalty would be applied to Palestinians, but not to Israeli Jews who committed similar crimes, according to critics. Supporters of the law argue that the death penalty will prevent Palestinians from carrying out deadly attacks against Israelis or attempting kidnappings aimed at affecting exchange agreements for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Ben Gvir wears a hangman’s pin and brings champagne to vote on the death penalty for Palestinians Europe says the law is ‘discriminatory’ In a note released by the European Council this Tuesday (30), the bloc stated that it maintains a position against the death penalty under any circumstances and classified the approval of the bill by the Israeli Parliament as a “serious setback”. “We are deeply concerned about the de facto discriminatory nature of the bill,” he said. The European bloc also urged Israel to respect its obligations under international law and maintain its commitment to democratic principles set out in the EU-Israel Association Agreement. In its position, the EU reinforces that the death penalty violates the right to life, may involve cruel or degrading treatment and has no proven effect on deterring other crimes. The statement also highlights that the application of capital punishment makes possible judicial errors irreversible. Approval of the law could result in Israel being excluded from the Council of Europe. This was what the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (APCE), Petra Bayr, warned this Wednesday (31). This vote “distances Israel from the values ​​of the Council of Europe, which rejects the death penalty anywhere and under any circumstances,” she explained. Muslim countries condemn the law and ask for international help Eight Muslim-majority countries “strongly condemned” the law approved earlier this week by the Israeli Parliament. The position is in a joint statement released by Pakistan this Thursday (2), according to Reuters. Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said the law constitutes a “dangerous escalation” and emphasized the “urgent need to refrain from measures” that could further inflame tensions, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said. “They emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability and called for strengthened international efforts to maintain stability and prevent further deterioration,” he said. The Taliban government in neighboring Afghanistan also called the legislation a “continuation of oppression”, calling on “international organizations and influential countries to take immediate and practical measures to prevent such actions”. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the legislation as a violation of international law and a failed attempt to intimidate Palestinians. The law has drawn similar criticism from Israel’s Western allies at a time when the country is already under scrutiny for increasing violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

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