Israel Approves Law on Public Trials and Death Penalty for Detainees

Israeli Legislators Approve Bill Establishing Special Tribunal for Death Penalty Cases

A bill to establish a special tribunal with the power to impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of involvement in the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, has been approved by Israel’s parliament. The bill passed unanimously, with all 120 legislators present voting in favor.

The remaining legislators were either absent or abstained from voting. Critics warn that the bill may make it easier to impose the death penalty and strip away fair trial protections. Muna Haddad, a lawyer with Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, stated that the bill allows for mass trials that deviate from standard rules of evidence and admit evidence obtained under coercive conditions.

The bill also mandates the filming and public broadcasting of key moments in the trials on a dedicated website. This provision has raised concerns among rights groups, who argue that it may compromise the accused’s rights. The provisions governing public hearings have been criticized for violating the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial, and the right to dignity.

The bill is separate from a law passed in March that approved the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis. Critics argue that any accountability for crimes committed during the October 7 attacks should be pursued through a process that includes rather than abandons principles of justice.

Israel has been holding an estimated 200-300 Palestinians, including those captured during the October 7 attacks, who have not yet been charged. The Hamas-led assault on Israeli communities along Israel’s southern fence with Gaza resulted in at least 1,139 civilian deaths and 240 others were seized as captives.

Source: Al Jazeera