Jerusalem: The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner's Society have expressed strong condemnation following the Israeli Knesset's National Security Committee approval of a draft law aimed at implementing the death penalty for prisoners. The draft law has now been cleared for its first reading, having previously passed a preliminary reading.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the joint statement from the organizations highlighted that the Israeli regime has historically engaged in what they describe as "slow executions" of prisoners through systematic means, resulting in numerous fatalities. These actions have reportedly intensified since the onset of a recent conflict, marking the current period as the most lethal in the history of the Palestinian prisoner movement.
The statement further emphasized that the enactment of the death penalty law contravenes international law, which prohibits such measures. The organizations argue that the Israeli state's pursuit of legalizing the death penalty underscores its disregard for international accountability and its perception of being above the law.
Additionally, the statement criticized the international community's perceived failure to hold the Israeli regime accountable, especially highlighted during the recent conflict, which, according to the organizations, exposed the complicity of international entities with the Israeli actions.
The statement also noted that the proposed death penalty law is part of a broader legislative framework perceived as repressive, targeting various aspects of Palestinian life, particularly focusing on prisoners and detainees. The draft law is not a new proposal; it has been introduced multiple times over the years, with the most recent reintroduction occurring in 2022 by far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The draft was approved in a preliminary reading by the Knesset in 2023 and has now moved forward through committee approval, setting the stage for its first official reading.