The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, describing it as a violation of international law and humanitarian protections for detainees.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said the legislation marks an escalation and warned it could institutionalise practices that undermine human rights and international justice, citing concerns over discrimination against Palestinians.
The ministry also raised concerns over conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners, referring to reports of torture, mistreatment, starvation and denial of basic rights, and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to take action to ensure protections under international law.
A joint statement by several Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the UAE, described the law as discriminatory and said it could increase tensions in the region.
Under the law, Palestinians in the West Bank convicted by military courts of attacks classified as terrorism may face the death penalty. Palestinians are tried in military courts, while Israeli civilians may face either life imprisonment or capital punishment under a different legal track.