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Israel is preparing to authorize the execution of Palestinian prisoners by lethal injection under a bill that passed its first vote in the Knesset last week, according to a report by Channel 12.
Channel 12 said the framework of the bill has been submitted to Israel’s National Security Council.
If enacted, the legislation would allow courts to impose death sentences on Palestinian prisoners by a simple majority. It would not permit appeals, sentence reductions, or pardons.
The report said prisoners sentenced under the law would be executed by the Israel Prison Service within 90 days using lethal injection.
According to the broadcaster, the bill is intended for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis under what it described as “racist motivations.”
The proposal was approved in its first reading on Nov. 11.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly called for such legislation, celebrated the vote, saying on X that his Otzma Yehudit party was “making history” and fulfilling its promise to advance the death penalty bill for “terrorists.”
The bill must pass three votes in the Knesset to become law.
Human rights organizations say Israel continues to hold more than 10,000 Palestinians in its prisons, including women and children.
Many detainees face torture, hunger, mistreatment, and medical neglect, conditions that rights groups say have resulted in prisoner deaths.
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