Death penalty order takes effect for West Bank Palestinians convicted of 'terrorism'
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- 'Israeli' military command activates death penalty policy for select terrorism convictions.
- Measure applies only in military courts for Palestinians, drawing discrimination claims.
A new policy enabling the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly terrorism in the West Bank has come into effect after the commander of the IOF Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, signed the required military order.
The framework allows military courts handling cases involving fatalities to impose the death penalty as the only sentencing option, unless judges find “special circumstances” that justify life imprisonment instead.
The policy applies only to Palestinians prosecuted in the West Bank military court system under 'Israeli' military authority.
It does not apply to 'Israeli' citizens or residents of 'Israel', who are tried in civilian courts under a separate legal system.
Critics argue the measure is discriminatory, citing the existence of two parallel legal systems based on nationality and jurisdiction.
The order includes conditions under which the death penalty may be imposed, including cases where the motive is defined as the “negation of the existence of the State of 'Israel' or the authority of the military commander in the area.”
Such wording is expected to apply primarily to Palestinian defendants accused of lethal attacks.
'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir described the policy as a major shift following the October 7 events.
“Whoever chooses murderous terrorism against Jews needs to know that the State of 'Israel' will bring him to justice all the way,” Katz said.
Ben Gvir said the measure fulfills a long-standing political pledge, adding that the government “does not capitulate or contain terrorism, it defeats it.”
Human rights groups and legal experts have raised concerns over the policy, warning it deepens structural inequality within the military justice system.
The move is expected to face continued domestic and international scrutiny over its legal and political implications.
