Eight Muslim nations slam Israel's death penalty law for Palestinians as 'dangerous escalation'

ISLAMABAD: Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, strongly condemned Israel on Thursday over a controversial new law that mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in military courts.

The joint statement, issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, denounced the legislation passed in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.

The ministers described the move as a “dangerous escalation,” warning that the law enables the imposition of capital punishment in the occupied West Bank with a discriminatory application against Palestinians.

They cautioned that such measures deepen inequality and reinforce what they termed a system of apartheid, while denying the fundamental rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Expressing alarm over the treatment of Palestinian detainees, the statement highlighted “credible reports” of torture, inhumane conditions, starvation and denial of basic rights in Israeli custody, calling these part of a broader pattern of violations.

The ministers urged Israel to refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions, stressing the need for accountability and stronger international efforts to prevent further deterioration in regional stability.

Under the newly passed law, Palestinians in the West Bank convicted by Israeli military courts of attacks labelled as “terrorism” will face the death penalty as the default sentence. Critics argue that since Palestinians are tried in military courts, the law effectively creates a harsher and separate legal system compared to Israeli civilians.

The move has also drawn concern from Western allies, including the European Union, Germany and Canada, amid rising scrutiny over violence in the occupied territories.

Reports suggest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to soften parts of the legislation in an effort to contain international backlash.