Overview
- Amnesty International called on lawmakers to reject two bills expanding capital punishment ahead of an expected National Security Committee vote, as parallel committee deliberations continue.
- One bill that passed a first reading in November 2025 would broaden death‑penalty eligibility in Israel and the occupied West Bank for intentional killings aimed at Israeli citizens or residents and for terrorism‑related deaths tried in military courts.
- The proposals would remove key safeguards by allowing mandatory death sentences by a simple majority of three military judges, prohibiting commutation or pardon, requiring executions within 90 days, and limiting appeals.
- A second bill, approved at first reading on 13 January, would create ad hoc military courts for alleged offenses linked to the 7 October 2023 attacks and permit deviations from standard procedures and evidentiary rules, with committee review set to resume on 4 February.
- Amnesty warns the measures violate the right to life and may constitute war crimes when imposed by military courts, highlighting that Palestinians are prosecuted in West Bank military courts while Israeli settlers face civilian courts, and noting Israel has not executed anyone since 1962.