Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom sharply criticized Israel's proposed legislation to expand the use of the death penalty for what it considers Palestinian terrorists, urging Israeli leaders to "abandon" the bill ahead of a key Knesset vote on Monday.
The bill has drawn fierce backlash for potentially allowing Palestinians to face execution while Jews would receive prison sentences for similar terrorism-related offenses.
In a joint statement Sunday, the four countries' foreign ministers warned that the measure "could significantly expand the possibilities to impose the death penalty" and expressed concern over its "de facto discriminatory character," which they said could undermine Israel's commitments to democratic principles.
"The death penalty is an inhumane and degrading form of punishment without any deterring effect," the ministers said. "Rejecting the death penalty is a fundamental value that unites us."
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The legislation, advanced by the far-right party Otzma Yehudit, seeks to allow courts to impose the death penalty for terrorism-related offenses. It is scheduled for second and third readings in the Knesset tomorrow, though it is unclear whether it currently has a majority.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously pressured for a softened version of the bill, may still intervene to block or delay its passage. Even after revisions, legal experts and government officials have raised objections.
Representatives from the Justice Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and military warned that some provisions may conflict with international law and noted that political authorities could gain indirect control over where suspects are tried – potentially amplifying the bill's discriminatory impact.
A small group of lawmakers, including Gilad Kariv and Aida Touma-Sliman, have consistently opposed the legislation during committee debates. Despite international and domestic concerns, the proposal continues to advance.
The criticism of the bill is not limited to European foreign ministries. Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, also called on Israel to shelve the proposal, echoing concerns about its human rights and democratic implications.
While Israel historically rarely enforces the death penalty, limiting it mostly to Nazis and exceptional terrorism cases, this new law could mark a significant shift in legal practice. As the Knesset prepares for the vote, the bill highlights deep divisions over the death penalty and its broader legal, ethical, and political consequences.
