The United States chose not to criticize Israel’s newly approved Death Penalty for Terrorists law, which passed in the Knesset on Monday, emphasizing instead Israel’s authority to set its own legal policies.

In a statement, a State Department spokesperson said, “The United States respects Israel’s sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism.”

The spokesperson added, “We trust that any such measures will be carried out with a fair trial and respect for all applicable fair trial guarantees and protections.”

The legislation aims to shift the death penalty from a largely symbolic provision into a practical sentencing option, while establishing different legal standards depending on geographic jurisdiction.

Under the new framework, in Judea and Samaria, capital punishment will serve as the default penalty for murder carried out in a terrorist context. Judges will no longer be required to reach a unanimous decision to impose the sentence, and there will be no option for a pardon or reduction of the punishment by the commander-in-chief.

Inside the Green Line, courts will retain more limited authority, with the death penalty applicable only in cases where a person intentionally causes death with the intent of harming the state. In such cases, judges may choose between capital punishment and life imprisonment.

The measure drew sharp criticism even before its final passage. Earlier Monday, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom condemned the legislation, calling it “inhumane” and “degrading”

The European Union had already voiced concerns last week, stating that the bill “is deeply concerning” and reiterating that the EU “opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry pushed back against the criticism, accusing the EU of interfering in its internal legislative process.

“Israel, as a sovereign state, legislates its own laws. Unbelievably, the European Union is intervening in the midst of a sovereign state’s legislative process,” the ministry said.

It added that Israel is confronting a unique and severe security reality.

“Israel is facing murderous and brutal terrorism on a scale unmatched anywhere in the world. Palestinian terrorism is fueled by payments from the Palestinian Authority, as well as by abductions that lead to shortened prison terms for terrorists,” it continued.

The ministry also pointed out that capital punishment is already permitted under Israeli law, and that the courts will continue to have discretion over its use.

“Israeli law already permits capital punishment, and under the proposed new law, discretion over its application will remain with the courts.”

Concluding its response, the ministry accused the EU of applying inconsistent standards in its criticism.

“EU double standards: as always, the EU obsessively singles out Israel – we haven’t seen a tweet like this when it comes to capital punishment in the United States, Japan, India, Egypt, or other countries,” the Foreign Ministry concluded.