Knesset Opts for Death Penalty, But Only 'Certain' Terrorists
Israel's parliament has given an initial nod to a bill imposing the death penalty for 'terrorism'. This isn't groundbreaking: the death penalty technically exists in Israel for 'crimes against humanity,' but has been used twice, notably once against Adolf Eichmann. However, this new legislation, pushed by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, is explicitly designed to target acts committed by those
designated as 'terrorists' by the state—a loaded term often reserved for Palestinians. Former PM Ehud Olmert himself once stated that a similar 2017 proposal was for 'Arabs only.' So, the 'rule of law' is apparently fine with a death penalty that knows your ethnicity. One might wonder why, if the concern is truly about 'terrorism,' there isn't similar legislative energy to apply this to, say,
settlers who engage in violence against Palestinians—acts categorized as terrorism by the UN and even some Israeli defense officials. But then, that would require a consistent application of justice, and we can’t have that when a public execution serves as a more effective political talking point than actual judicial equity.