Israel: Palestinian death penalty bill vote cancelled

The Israeli Knesset cancelled Sunday’s scheduled vote on a bill allowing the use of the death penalty to execute Palestinian prisoners charged with killing Israelis, Israeli media has reported.

Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on its website on 12 July that Likud Party ministers decided not to vote on the bill at the Ministerial Legislative Committee.

Maariv noted that the decision to cancel the vote came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his opposition to the bill at a meeting for the party’s ministers.

A special committee will be formed to discuss the issue and reach a settlement within three months, the newspaper added.

The bill, which seeks to allow the implementation of the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, was proposed by Member of Knesset Sharon Gal of Yisrael Beiteinu Party, a far-right party headed by former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman.

The bill stipulates the use of the death penalty against Palestinians convicted of committing acts of terrorism that result in the death of Israeli settlers.

Those who proposed the bill say that it seeks to change the status by allowing Israeli courts to issue a death sentence in the event of judges’ consensus.

They also argue that this will deter terrorists and protect settlers’ lives, and that the bill enjoys the support of Israeli public opinion.

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