Ayhan Şimşek
31 March 2026•Update: 31 March 2026
BERLIN
Germany sharply criticized Israel’s newly passed death penalty law Tuesday, calling it a worrying step, and warning that it could be applied in a discriminatory way.
“Opposition to the death penalty is a fundamental principle of German policy,” government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.
He said Germany understands Israel has taken “tough action against terrorism since Oct. 7,” but added that Berlin views the new law “with great concern.”
“The government is also concerned that such a law would likely apply exclusively to Palestinians in the Palestinian territories,” Kornelius said. “It therefore regrets the Knesset’s decision and cannot endorse it.”
Israel’s Knesset passed the law Monday, making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of lethal attacks against Israelis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in support of the law.
Under the law, executions would be carried out by hanging by prison guards appointed by the Israeli Prison Service. Those involved would have anonymity and legal immunity.
The legislation also mandates transferring those sentenced to death to special detention facilities and restricting visits to authorized parties. Meetings with lawyers would be limited to video communication.
The law allows courts to issue death sentences without a request from prosecutors and does not require a unanimous decision, permitting rulings by a simple majority.
It also applies to military courts that handle cases involving Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and grants the defense minister the right to present an opinion before the court.
The measure bars appeals once a death sentence is issued against Palestinian prisoners.
