Tensions have escalated across the Occupied Palestinian Territories since the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, a move that has triggered widespread outrage and fears of further instability.
The legislation was followed by celebratory reactions from far-right Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close allies, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who publicly welcomed the law’s passage and signalled their intention to implement the first executions in the near future.
According to Israeli media reports, the proposed law grants sweeping powers to Ben-Gvir to determine whether prisoners are tried in military or civilian courts. The draft does not require unanimous judicial approval to impose the death sentence, nor does it obligate prosecutors to seek capital punishment in advance, raising concerns among observers that it could enable arbitrary or politically motivated rulings. The law applies exclusively to Palestinians accused of involvement in the killing of Israeli soldiers or settlers, particularly if they are believed not to recognise the State of Israel, an ambiguous provision that critics say could be broadly interpreted to include hundreds of detainees.
In a move seen as further complicating future negotiations, the legislation also bars the release of any prisoner sentenced to death in potential exchange deals. It stipulates that executions must be carried out within 90 days of a final ruling, with the prime minister authorised to delay implementation for up to 180 days under exceptional circumstances. The method of execution specified in the draft is hanging, to be carried out inside prison facilities under the supervision of the Israeli Prison Service.
Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups and human rights organisations have warned that the law represents an unprecedented escalation, effectively turning the judicial system into a tool for legitimising the execution of Palestinians. They have urged the European Union and the wider international community to move beyond condemnation and take concrete action to deter what they describe as a dangerous legal development.
International reactions have been swift. Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of UNRWA, described the law as “shocking” and “discriminatory”. Meanwhile, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset reiterated firm opposition to the death penalty, calling its adoption a serious setback for the rule of law and human rights. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe also signalled potential punitive measures, including the possible suspension of Israel’s observer status. Assembly President Petra Bayr warned that the legislation places Israel’s standing “at serious risk” due to its incompatibility with international commitments.
Palestinian officials described the law as a war crime and a grave violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. Regional and international actors, including Jordan, Egypt, Al-Azhar, the Arab Parliament, and European governments, condemned the move, warning it could further destabilise the region. They called for immediate international intervention to protect Palestinian prisoners and hold those responsible accountable.
In a joint statement, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy urged Israel to abandon the legislation, expressing “deep concern” that it would significantly increase the likelihood of executions. The statement described capital punishment as “inhumane and degrading” and reaffirmed opposition to its use under any circumstances.
On the ground, Palestinian factions, including Fatah, called for a general strike across the West Bank and Jerusalem the day after the law’s approval. The strike paralysed daily life, accompanied by mass protests and solidarity rallies demanding broader public mobilisation to prevent the law’s implementation. Families of prisoners expressed deep fear for their relatives’ safety, calling for Palestinian political unity and coordinated efforts to protect detainees.
Issa Qaraqe, former head of the Palestinian Authority’s prisoners’ affairs body, described the law as part of a broader Israeli strategy targeting Palestinian prisoners. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, Qaraqe said the measure aims to “kill the Palestinian national spirit” embodied by prisoners, and to strip their struggle of legitimacy by portraying them as criminals rather than freedom fighters protected under international law. He accused Israel of attempting to redefine Palestinian resistance as terrorism, in contradiction with the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee protections for prisoners of war.
Qaraqe also criticised the absence of international oversight, noting that organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross have been prevented from visiting Israeli prisons. He said Palestinian detainees face harsh conditions, including alleged torture and medical neglect, adding that statements of condemnation alone are no longer sufficient.
Abdullah Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, said recent protests form part of a broader campaign to highlight what he described as escalating abuses against prisoners. He alleged that around 100 Palestinian detainees have died over the past two years under various circumstances, which he described as systematic practices within Israeli detention facilities. Zaghari warned that the new law could formalise such practices, turning what he described as extrajudicial measures into legally sanctioned actions.
Analysts and officials say the law marks a critical moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raising urgent questions about the future of prisoners, the viability of political negotiations and the role of international actors. As tensions continue to rise, Palestinians are calling for sustained diplomatic and political pressure to halt the implementation of the law. For many, the issue goes beyond legal reform. It strikes at the heart of how the conflict is defined, and whether international law will be upheld or further eroded.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 9 April, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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