Jakarta I Gebrak24.com - The Israeli Knesset has ignited a storm of controversy after approving legislation that reinstates the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. The law, passed on March 31, 2026, with 62 votes in favour and 48 against, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights defenders worldwide, who warn that thousands of Palestinian detainees could face execution under its provisions.
The bill was championed by far right members of the coalition government, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Its passage marks a dramatic departure from Israel’s long standing restraint on capital punishment, which has been used only once in the country’s history - the execution of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
Critics argue the legislation is discriminatory, as it explicitly applies to Palestinians convicted of attacks against Israelis. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the law as a violation of international standards, warning that it risks arbitrary application and undermines the principle of equality before the law.
More than 2,000 objections were filed against the bill before its passage, but all were rejected. The law is now expected to face challenges in Israel’s Supreme Court, which has historically been cautious about capital punishment.
*International Legal Framework*
The new law stands in stark contradiction to international human rights norms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) affirms the right to life and dignity, while the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) restricts the death penalty to “the most serious crimes” and urges states to move toward abolition. Israel is a party to the ICCPR, meaning it is legally bound by its provisions.
Furthermore, the UN General Assembly has repeatedly passed resolutions since 2007 calling for a moratorium on executions, emphasizing that capital punishment undermines human dignity and risks irreversible miscarriages of justice. The Convention Against Torture (CAT) also prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment, and hanging has long been criticized internationally as a cruel method of execution.
Globally, the trend is clear: more than two‑thirds of countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Israel’s decision to reintroduce it places the country at odds with this movement and risks further isolating it diplomatically.
*Wilson Lalengke’s Strong Condemnation*
Wilson Lalengke, an international human rights defender and Chairman of the Indonesian Citizen Journalists Association (Persatuan Pewarta Warga Indonesia – PPWI), issued a powerful statement condemning the Knesset’s decision. He emphasized that Israel must respect and obey international human rights instruments.
“The Israeli Knesset has taken a dangerous and shameful step backward. By approving this death penalty law, they are violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ICCPR, and the very principles of justice that underpin international law. This legislation is discriminatory, targeting Palestinians alone, and risks becoming a tool of oppression rather than justice,” Lalengke declared.
He urged Israel’s Supreme Court to act decisively. “I call on the Supreme Court of Israel to abolish this law immediately. The judiciary must stand as the guardian of human rights and prevent the government from trampling on the right to life. If Israel wishes to be respected as a democracy, it must uphold the rule of law and human dignity, not undermine them.”
*Risks of Escalation*