The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on Israel to immediately repeal newly approved legislation reinstating the death penalty in cases primarily affecting Palestinians, warning the move risks deepening legal inequality and violating international humanitarian law.
In a statement issued on March 31, 2026, Türk described the law passed by the Knesset on March 30th as incompatible with Israel’s international legal obligations, particularly regarding the protection of the right to life and guarantees of due process.
“The legislation is patently inconsistent with Israel’s international law obligations,” Türk said, adding that its provisions raise “serious concerns regarding due process violations and must be repealed.
According to the UN rights office, the legislation introduces mandatory capital punishment by firing squad for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank.
The law further requires that death sentences be carried out within 90 days and bars executive pardons provisions Türk warned could contravene international safeguards governing the use of capital punishment.
Human rights officials argue that the measure’s limited applicability to Palestinians risks creating a dual-track justice framework within territory considered occupied under international law.
Türk cautioned that applying the death penalty in such a discriminatory manner could itself constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and, in certain circumstances, amount to a war crime.
Türk also raised alarm over a separate bill currently under consideration by the Knesset that would establish a Special Military Court to prosecute crimes committed by Palestinians during and after the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The proposed court would reportedly exclude jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed by Israeli forces.
“All victims are entitled to equal protection of the law, and all perpetrators must be held accountable without discrimination,” Türk stated.
The UN intervention reflects growing concern within international legal institutions about the evolving structure of judicial authority in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Türk further warned that the measures risk reinforcing allegations that legal frameworks in the occupied territories are becoming increasingly segregated along identity lines an issue already central to ongoing debates within international human rights forums.
If implemented, the legislation could deepen diplomatic tensions between Israel and multilateral human rights institutions while intensifying global debate over accountability, proportionality, and equality before the law in the administration of justice in the occupied Palestinian territories.
