Hundreds protest Israeli death penalty for Palestinians in the West Bank

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered across the occupied West Bank to protest a new Israeli law that allows for the use of the death penalty against those convicted of deadly attacks. The demonstrations took place in several cities, including Ramallah, Tubas, Nablus, Jenin, and Hebron.

The protests were organized by Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups and national factions, with participants including families of prisoners, senior members of the Fatah party, civil society organizations, trade unions, and women’s groups. The crowd was also joined by representatives from international human rights organizations.

According to reports, over 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including 350 children and 73 women. Human rights groups have expressed concerns about the treatment of detainees, citing cases of torture, starvation, and medical neglect that have led to dozens of deaths.

The Israeli Knesset passed the death penalty legislation on Monday evening, with a vote of 62-48. The law allows for executions by hanging, carried out by prison guards appointed by the Israeli Prison Service. Those involved in the execution process would be granted anonymity and legal immunity.

Reactions from international organizations have been mixed. A European Union spokesperson described the passage of the legislation as “concerning,” while Amnesty International called on Israeli authorities to repeal the law, citing concerns about human rights and the potential for extrajudicial executions. Germany also expressed concern over the law, stating that it would not endorse it due to its rejection of the death penalty.

The law’s provisions have been criticized for their discriminatory nature, with some arguing that they do not apply equally to Israeli convicts. The legislation has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and Palestinian officials, who argue that it breaches international law and undermines democratic principles.

Source: Al Jazeera