BRUSSELS, (PIC)
The European Union’s foreign policy chief has expressed deep concern over a new Israeli law allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners, urging Israel to abide by its obligations under international law.
In a statement on Tuesday, foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned the move marks a “grave regression” from Israel’s previous commitments under international law and the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The statement, issued on behalf of the 27 European member states, highlighted “particular concern” over what it described as the death penalty law’s “de facto discriminatory character.”
“The EU urges Israel to abide by its previous principled position and its obligations under international law,” the statement says.
It reiterates the European bloc’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment. “The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and cannot be carried out without breaching the absolute prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment.”
In a related context, Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez condemned as a “step towards apartheid” the Knesset’s approval of the death penalty law.
“It is an asymmetrical measure that would not apply to Israelis committing the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. It is another step towards apartheid. The world cannot stay silent,” Sanchez wrote on X on Tuesday.
The Israeli death penalty law passed its final stage in the Knesset on Monday. It allows courts to impose death sentences for alleged terrorist acts against Palestinian prisoners or for negating the existence of Israel.
The law is to be applied exclusively to Palestinian prisoners, rather than Jewish Israelis accused of similar acts.
The legislation, which was strongly supported by security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, was approved by 62 Knesset members, including premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Under the law, Israeli judges can hand down death sentences without requests from prosecutors.
