Overview
- Lawmakers approved the measure 39–16 in a late-night vote, moving it toward the required second and third readings.
- The draft targets those who kill an Israeli citizen for racist or community-hostile motives intended to harm the state and Jewish revival, excluding Israelis who kill Palestinians.
- Provisions would allow West Bank military courts to impose death sentences by simple majority and strip commanders of commutation authority.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party forced the vote by threatening to withdraw coalition support.
- Hamas and the Palestinian Authority condemned the bill, and some Israeli security officials warned it could complicate hostage talks during a fragile cease-fire.