Jerusalem, Israel (March 30, 2026)

Israel’s parliament has approved a sweeping new law authorizing the death penalty in certain terrorism cases, a major legal shift that could end the country’s decades-long avoidance of formal executions. The measure passed the Knesset on Monday after final readings, with supporters describing it as a tougher response to deadly attacks and critics warning it will deepen political and legal tensions.

Under the legislation, courts would be required to impose capital punishment in specified cases involving lethal acts classified as terrorism. Reports on the law say it removes the possibility of clemency in those cases and sets out a compressed timetable for carrying out executions after appeals are exhausted, with hanging identified as the method. The measure is expected to face immediate legal scrutiny, including challenges over its application and compatibility with existing legal standards.

The bill marks one of the most dramatic changes to Israel’s criminal punishment system in modern history. Although Israeli law has long allowed capital punishment in very limited categories such as genocide and crimes against humanity, the country has not carried out a judicial execution since Adolf Eichmann was put to death in 1962. The new law would significantly expand the practical use of that penalty.

Debate over the legislation has been intense, with supporters arguing that harsher punishment is necessary during a period of prolonged violence, while opponents say the law is discriminatory, politically driven and likely to trigger both domestic and international backlash. Human rights advocates and legal critics have already raised concerns over due process, unequal application and the broader implications for Israel’s justice system.

The law also revives a highly sensitive national debate over the state’s use of execution as punishment. While Meir Tobianski was killed by firing squad in 1948 after a wartime conviction that was later overturned, Eichmann remains the only person formally executed following a civilian judicial process in Israeli history.

BREAKING:

Israel's parliament has officially passed a law imposing the death penalty by hanging for Palestinian detainees.

At least 10,000 Palestinian prisoners could be at risk of execution. pic.twitter.com/XPn84ATiGJ

— Current Report (@Currentreport1) March 30, 2026