Israeli death penalty law and military courts
Tabled 13 April 2026 by Iqbal Mohamed
That this House expresses grave concern at the passage by the Israeli Knesset on 30 March 2026 of the Penal Law (Amendment – Death Penalty for Terrorists), which introduces the death penalty as the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of terrorism offences in territories under Israeli control, including in the occupied West Bank; notes that the law enables military courts to impose capital punishment by majority decision, curtails due process protections and permits executions within 90 days, including by hanging; further notes that Palestinians are tried in military courts lacking full guarantees of independence, impartiality and fair trial rights, while Israeli citizens in the same territory are subject to civilian courts, resulting in differential legal systems and penalties; expresses deep concern that this framework may amount to discriminatory treatment and contribute to a system of apartheid, as identified in international legal analyses; recognises that the death penalty contravenes the United Kingdom’s longstanding opposition to capital punishment and raises serious concerns under international human rights law, including the rights to life, equality before the law and due process; and calls on the Government urgently to condemn the introduction of this law to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations.
Signatories (31)
- Iqbal Mohamed Sponsor
- Neil Duncan-Jordan
- Jeremy Corbyn
- Shockat Adam
- Ayoub Khan
- Brendan O'Hara
- Andrew George
- Graham Leadbitter
- Steve Witherden
- Nadia Whittome
- Dave Doogan
- Imran Hussain
- Jon Trickett
- Liz Saville Roberts
- Ann Davies
- Dr Ellie Chowns
- Hannah Spencer
- Carla Denyer
- Adrian Ramsay
- Siân Berry
- Seamus Logan
- Ben Lake
- Llinos Medi
- Kim Johnson
- Clive Lewis
- Claire Hanna
- Apsana Begum
- Richard Burgon
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy
- Ian Byrne
- Rachael Maskell