The bill, backed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, passed the first reading with 39 votes in favor and 16 against. It will now proceed to parliamentary committees for further discussion before the second and third readings.

Ben Gvir defended the measure, calling it a “critical deterrent against terrorism”, and warned that his party could leave the coalition if the bill stalled.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had initially opposed the bill due to concerns about potential retaliatory attacks against Israeli hostages in Gaza. However, following the implementation of a fragile ceasefire, he shifted his stance.

Death Penalty in Israel: Historical Context

Currently, Israel imposes the death penalty only in exceptional cases, such as treason or war crimes committed under the Nazi regime. The only person executed in Israeli history was Adolf Eichmann, one of the chief architects of the Holocaust, who was captured in Argentina in 1962 and sentenced to death in a landmark trial.

Under the new bill, military courts in the West Bank will be empowered to hand down death sentences by simple majority, and the option to consider mitigating circumstances will be eliminated. Palestinians under Israeli military law will be subject to these changes, while Israeli settlers remain under civilian law.