Overview
- Lawmakers voted 39–16 to advance the government-backed measure in its first Knesset reading, according to local reports.
- The draft mandates death sentences for those who kill Israelis for “racist” or nationalist motives or with intent to harm the state and the rebirth of the Jewish people.
- Committee explanations say the change aims to create strong deterrence against terrorism, while opponents warn it would be applied unevenly, especially against Arab defendants.
- Two related bills also passed initial votes, including a proposal allowing West Bank military courts to impose death sentences by simple majority and removing commanders’ power to commute such verdicts.
- The initiative still requires two further readings to become law, marking a departure from Israel’s post‑1954 limits on capital punishment, with the last execution carried out in 1962.