Israel’s death penalty law for West Bank attacks takes effect

A new law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank took effect Sunday night. The implementation followed the signing of a military order by Major General Avi Bluth, commander of the Israel Defense Forces Central Command.

The legislation, passed by Israel's parliament on March 30, establishes capital punishment as the default sentence for such convictions. Military courts must impose a death sentence unless judges determine that exceptional circumstances justify life imprisonment. The law allows these courts to issue a death sentence with a simple majority vote, rather than requiring unanimity. It also removes the authority to pardon or commute sentences issued by military courts.

The law applies specifically to cases where an attacker's motive was to negate the existence of the State of Israel or the authority of the military commander in the area. It does not apply to Israeli citizens, who are tried in Israel's civilian court system. To apply the law in the West Bank, which is governed by military orders, an amendment was required following the Knesset's approval.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and National...