Israel's parliament decides on controversial reintroduction of the death penalty!

Israel's parliament decides on controversial reintroduction of the death penalty!

On November 11, 2025, the Israeli Parliament passed a controversial bill that would reinstate the death penalty for terrorists in Israel. It was decided by 39 votes to 16 that this punishment should apply in particular to Palestinians who kill Israelis for racist motives. Israeli citizens, on the other hand, are exempt from this regulation, which has drawn strong criticism. Critics argue that the law is specifically aimed at Arabs and does not hold Jewish terrorists accountable. According to Le Dauphiné, the bill was suspended in recent months due to protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but has now been revived after the last hostage-taking in the Gaza Strip was ended.

The initiator of the law, Limor Son Har Melech from the Jewish Power party, described the measure as necessary to protect both the state of Israel and its citizens. It believes that there are no Jewish terrorists and therefore the provisions of the law only apply to Palestinians. The influence of far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, played a significant role in the passage of the law, as he had threatened to take away Netanyahu's majority if the bill was not addressed, as TRT Français reports.

A look at the background

The discussion about reintroducing the death penalty is not new. Israel abolished the death penalty in 1954, making exceptions only for crimes against humanity and treason. The last execution took place in 1962, when Adolf Eichmann was held responsible. The current bill, presented as a "deterrent tool" against terrorism, stipulates that military courts can impose the death penalty by a simple majority if a murder is motivated by hatred against Israel. This would mean that the punishment cannot be applied to ordinary crimes or military offenses as long as there is no terrorist background, as Aurora Israel explains.

The measure has raised tensions within Netanyahu's coalition; some ultra-Orthodox MPs express concerns about the moral and legal implications. There are also numerous voices that accuse the bill of “punitive populism” and warn of the dangers it could pose to Israel’s international reputation. Human rights organizations and lawyers also warn that reintroducing the death penalty could violate Israel's international obligations and provoke negative reactions from Western allies.

The divisive discussions

The debate over the death penalty is polarizing Israeli society, with both supporters and opponents making passionate arguments. While some see the measure as necessary for national security, others warn that there is no evidence that the death penalty actually reduces terrorist attacks. This complex issue will shape Israel's agenda in the coming weeks as the security situation remains a priority.

This bill makes it clear that the Israeli government is making great efforts to protect its citizens, but is also prepared to raise profound social and legal questions. The discussion about the death penalty is therefore not only a legal but also a moral challenge that must be overcome.