Jerusalem | November 11, 2025 — The Israel’s Knesset has approved the first reading of a controversial bill that would allow the death penalty for convicted terrorists, sparking intense debate across the political spectrum.
The proposed legislation — backed by right-wing lawmakers — aims to impose the ultimate punishment for individuals involved in deadly terror attacks against Israeli citizens. Supporters claim it would serve as a deterrent amid heightened security tensions following recent conflicts, while critics warn it could undermine democratic values and escalate regional instability.
“Terrorists who take innocent lives deserve the harshest possible justice,” said one coalition member defending the bill.
Opposition leaders, human rights groups, and several legal experts have condemned the proposal, arguing that capital punishment contradicts international human rights standards and risks fueling cycles of violence.
The bill must still pass two additional readings before becoming law, but its initial approval underscores a hardening security stance within Israel’s ruling bloc. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has faced mounting pressure to adopt tougher measures following a surge in militant attacks and border tensions in recent months.
If enacted, the law would mark a historic shift in Israel’s judicial policy — as the death penalty has been used only once in the country’s history, in the 1962 execution of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.
International observers are watching closely, warning that such a policy could complicate Israel’s diplomatic relations and ignite further unrest in the region.
