File Photo: Palestinian prisoners forced to sit in a tight group in front of Prison guards in An Israeli Prison. Photo courtesy of WAFA.
The bill would make the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank found guilty of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks deemed "acts of terrorism" by an Israeli military court.
Palestinians in the West Bank are automatically tried in Israeli military courts.
Under the bill, in Israeli criminal courts anyone "who intentionally causes the death of a person with the aim of harming an Israeli citizen or resident out of an intention to put an end to the existence of the State of Israel shall be sentenced to death or life imprisonment".
Criminal courts try also Palestinian citizens and residents of occupied east Jerusalem.
The bill sets the execution method as hanging, adding that it should be carried out within 90 days of the sentencing, with a possible postponement of up to 180 days.
In a statement released by the foreign ministry on Monday, Cairo said the legislation constitutes a blatant undermining of fundamental guarantees for fair trials.
Egypt stressed that the law institutionalises a discriminatory approach and reinforces a system of racial segregation in its application between Palestinians and others, contravening the most basic principles of justice and equality before the law.
It added that the legislation represents a clear violation of the existing legal framework in the occupied Palestinian territories and cannot be applied to Palestinian citizens in the West Bank under Israeli law.
Egypt also warned repeatedly of Israel’s ongoing violations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, highlighting the escalation of military measures in the region.
The statement emphasized the dangers posed by the law to the stability of Palestinian territories and opportunities to contain escalation, reiterating Egypt’s rejection of all unilateral Israeli actions and measures.
Cairo called on the international community to closely monitor Israel’s legal and ethical responsibilities and take decisive and immediate action to halt these violations, safeguard the Palestinian people, and ensure their legitimate rights in accordance with international law.
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