File Photo: Palestinian prisoners forced to sit in a tight group in front of Prison guards in An Israeli Prison. Photo courtesy of WAFA.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar said the legislation reflects a broader pattern of Israeli measures that risk undermining regional stability.
They described the law as a “dangerous escalation” and said its application to Palestinian detainees highlights what they called discriminatory policies in the occupied territories.
The ministers also raised concerns over conditions in Israeli detention facilities, citing reports of abuse, including torture, inhumane treatment, and denial of basic rights.
“These practices reflect a broader pattern of violations against the Palestinian people,” the statement said, reiterating opposition to what the ministers described as racially discriminatory and oppressive Israeli policies.
They warned that such measures could further inflame tensions on the ground and called for greater international efforts to ensure accountability and prevent further deterioration.
The criticism follows the passage of legislation in Israel’s parliament allowing capital punishment for Palestinians "convicted of carrying out attacks", a move that has drawn condemnation from rights groups and international organizations.
Palestinians in the West Bank are tried in Israeli military courts, while Israeli settlers are subject to civilian courts, a distinction long criticized by human rights groups, who argue that capital punishment in this context violates international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention governing occupied territories.
Critics also warn that the law risks setting a precedent for harsher punitive measures against Palestinians amid an already volatile security environment.
The issue of Palestinian prisoners has become increasingly sensitive since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, with rights organizations reporting a rise in arrests and worsening detention conditions.
Allegations include torture, denial of medical care, overcrowding, and restrictions on family visits, although Israel denies systematic abuse and says it operates within legal frameworks.
The condemnation comes amid heightened violence in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli military operations and settler attacks have all intensified, raising fears of a wider regional escalation.
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