EU Condemns Israel’s Death Penalty Bill for Palestinians

DID Press: On Tuesday, the European Union condemned a new Israeli bill expanding the use of the death penalty against Palestinians, calling it a “discriminatory” and “concerning” measure. The legislation notably does not extend similar penalties to Israeli citizens.

A European Union spokesperson told reporters in Brussels: “The proposed death penalty in Israel is deeply worrying. It represents a clear regression—not only by reinstating capital punishment but also due to its discriminatory nature.”

At the same time, Pedro Sánchez described the move as “a step toward apartheid.” He wrote on X social media: “This is an asymmetrical measure: Israelis committing the same crimes are not subject to the death penalty. Equal crime, unequal punishment; this is not justice and is a step toward apartheid.”

Critics argue that applying the death penalty based on national or ethnic identity constitutes systemic discrimination. Israeli authorities have yet to issue a detailed official response to these international criticisms.

The term “apartheid” refers to the system of racial segregation enforced by a white-minority government in South Africa during the latter half of the 20th century, which faced widespread global condemnation.