Israel’s death penalty law marks a new phase in its dehumanisation of Palestinians

JVL Introduction

Yuli Novak, executive director of B’Tselem, Israel’s premier human-rights group, is spot on in her analysis here.

Israel’s death penalty law while horrendous in its own right, has also to be seen in context: it is another step in the dehumanisation of Palestinians.

Her conclusion should be read and taken to heart:

“The debate is not about facts. It is about recognising Israel for what it is: a state that systematically kills Palestinians with impunity and erodes international law and basic moral norms. What is happening to Palestinians is already reshaping political and moral boundaries beyond Palestine, including in the US. As this is tolerated, it spreads. Once the dismantling of international law and basic protections for human life is accepted in one place, it becomes far easier to justify everywhere.”

The apartheid essence of the law was made clear in the New York Times on 31st March:

“The legislation makes death by hanging the default sentence in Israeli military courts for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks. Israeli citizens — both Jewish and Palestinian Arab — could also face the death penalty for killings intended to “negate the existence of the State of Israel.” Experts say, however, the chances that it would be applied to Jewish Israelis for attacks against Palestinians are minimal.”

RK

This article was originally published by the Guardian on Thu 2 Apr 2026. Read the original here.