Israel: Law Approved for Death Penalty for 'Palestinian Terrorists'

The Israeli parliament has approved a controversial law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted by military courts for deadly attacks. The bill passed with 62 votes in favor and 48 against.

The law mandates the death penalty for those found guilty of anti-Israeli attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among those who voted in favor.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) called the law 'unconstitutional' and said it 'de facto discriminates'. They also announced they would appeal to the Supreme Court.

Foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, and Britain had criticized the bill, noting that it leads to discrimination against Palestinians.

In Israel, the death penalty for homicide was abolished in 1954. Adolf Eichmann was the only person ever executed in the country after a civil trial, in 1962.