Israel: Knesset Approves Death Penalty for Terrorism

With 62 votes in favor, 48 against, and one abstention, the Knesset approved the application of the death penalty for acts of terrorism leading to the death of Israelis. The death penalty is already provided for in the Penal Code since 1948, but has only been applied twice.

The first time was a month after the establishment of the State of Israel, and the second was in the execution of Adolf Eichmann in 1962. The execution of Tobianski is considered a dark page for Israelis.

The bill exclusively concerns Arab terrorism, which raises legal and ethical issues. Israel faces a serious problem with terrorists who are released from prison and continue their criminal acts, while the Palestinian Authority pays "pensions" to terrorists and their families.

The governor of Ramallah, Laila Ghanem, has met with such criminals, who had been released from Israeli prisons. The bill has caused reactions and is expected to be judged in the Supreme Court of Israel.

The intelligence services and other security agencies also disagree with the bill.