ANKARA

The Israeli Knesset, or parliament, in a preliminary reading Wednesday passed a bill that would legalize capital punishment for those who are charged with terrorism offenses. 

The bill was approved by 55 to nine votes, according to a statement.

The controversial bill states that someone who kills an Israeli citizen with a racist motive or for the purpose of harming the state of Israel should be sentenced to death.

The proposed bill must be approved and enacted in three voting sessions to be held in the Knesset after being accepted by the government.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister and leader of the far-right Jewish Strength Party, submitted the bill to parliament.