Overview
- The Knesset National Security Committee, which approved the bill Tuesday, sent it to the plenum for second and third readings that could take place next week.
- The draft enables death sentences for those who intentionally kill in terror attacks, orders executions by hanging within 90 days, ends presidential clemency, and removes the need for unanimous judicial panels.
- The Israel Defense Forces and the Justice and Foreign Ministries warned the measure could violate international law and expose commanders to arrest warrants abroad.
- Coalition leaders advanced the bill after clearing thousands of objections and swapping in Likud MK Ofir Katz for the committee vote, while Yisrael Beytenu now conditions its support on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in person.
- UN experts, the European Union, opposition lawmakers, and rights groups denounced the plan as extreme and discriminatory, and petitions to the Supreme Court are widely expected if the Knesset passes it.