Right-wing ‘Israeli’ lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, who sponsored the bill.
Knesset committee debates use of lethal injection for Palestinian detainees
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- ‘Israel's’ Knesset National Security Committee is advancing a controversial bill that would impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of terrorism
- Lethal injection emerged as the proposed execution method
‘Israel's’ Knesset National Security Committee is intensifying discussions on a controversial bill that would mandate the death penalty for Palestinians accused of “terrorism”; with lethal injection emerging as one of the methods.
The legislation, which is sponsored by MK Limor Son Har-Melech of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party and passed its first reading last week with a 39-16 vote, is now being prepared for second and third readings.
The proposed execution method specifies lethal injection administered by ‘Israel’ Prison Service authorities, to be carried out within 90 days of sentencing.
This timeline, part of draconian amendments circulated by committee chair MK Zvika Fogel, eliminates options for appeals, plea bargains, or presidential pardons.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a key advocate, clashed with critics during committee hearings on Wednesday, insisting that lethal injection is feasible and biblically justified in Judaism.
He claimed knowledge of doctors willing to administer the injections, countering ethical concerns and vowing to push the bill through marathon sessions for final approval.
Broader criticisms highlight the bill's discriminatory nature, applying solely to attacks on Jews motivated by racism or hatred, effectively targeting Palestinian Arabs while exempting Jewish extremists.
MK Gilad Kariv denounced it as a "racist law" that disgraces Zionism and Judaism, warning it could isolate ‘Israel’ internationally. The Association for Civil Rights in ‘Israel’ echoed this, calling it an escalation of extremism.
The bill remains in committee deliberations, awaiting positions from the Defense and Justice Ministries, but coalition support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bolsters its chances.
