Israel’s legislative body voted Monday to enact capital punishment for individuals who commit deadly terrorist attacks, with lawmakers approving the controversial measure by a margin of 62 to 48 votes despite significant political opposition and pressure from international allies.
The bill, which completed its second and third readings on March 30, 2026, establishes that “a terrorist who intentionally caused the death of a person as part of a terrorist act – his sentence is death.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast his vote supporting the measure, even though the bill was expected to secure enough votes without his backing. The opposition Israel Beiteinu party supported the legislation, while United Torah Judaism, a member of the governing coalition, opposed it. Following the vote, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who helped initiate the proposal, declared: “We are making history.”
Under the new statute, capital punishment becomes required in specific circumstances and eliminates the need for judges to reach a unanimous verdict. The law specifies that the Israel Prison Service will conduct executions by hanging within 90 days, with no option for presidential clemency.
Government sources indicated the statute will face review by the High Court of Justice.
Legal scholars have identified several constitutional concerns, including the automatic nature of the death sentence and clauses preventing pardons, along with disparities in how the law applies to Israeli citizens versus cases in the West Bank.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the legislation, stating: “This law will not lead to a single execution. Not in Gaza, not in Judea and Samaria, not of terrorists, and not of anyone else. It is deliberately written without filters and without balances, for one purpose only: to ensure that it will be struck down.”
According to N12 news, high-ranking European officials conducted emergency discussions with Israeli representatives in an attempt to block the legislation, threatening potential sanctions and the suspension of trade deals, technological partnerships, scientific collaboration, and diplomatic relations.
