Israel’s new death-penalty law for Palestinians draws legal and diplomatic backlash
The Facts
- Israel’s parliament passed a new death-penalty law on March 30.
- Multiple reports say the law makes the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks classified as terrorism.
- Switzerland said it would summon Israel’s ambassador in Bern in response to the law.
- Swiss officials said Switzerland opposes the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances.
- Israeli opposition lawmaker Gilad Kariv said he petitioned the High Court to cancel the law.
- Women in Gaza held a protest against the law outside the International Committee of the Red Cross building in Gaza City.
- Activists in Nicosia announced a protest outside the Israeli embassy against the new law.
Context
What does the new Israeli law do?
Reports in the source pool say the law, passed by the Knesset on March 30, makes capital punishment the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks classified as terrorism Arab News,National,Cyprus Mail.
What response has the law triggered internationally?
Switzerland said it would summon Israel’s ambassador in Bern and reiterated that it rejects the death penalty in all places and circumstances Haber7.com,Haberler,Son Dakika. Separately, activists in Cyprus announced a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Nicosia, and a report said eight Muslim-majority countries issued a joint condemnation of the law Cyprus Mail,in-cyprus.philenews…,TheTimes.com.ng.
Has the law been challenged inside Israel?
Yes. Opposition lawmaker Gilad Kariv said he filed a petition with Israel’s High Court, together with civil society groups, seeking to overturn the law Haberler,Star.com.tr,Yeniçağ Gazetesi.
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