New york: A United Nations committee has urged Israeli authorities to immediately repeal a recently adopted law that institutionalizes state-sanctioned execution of Palestinian prisoners. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has highlighted significant concerns over the so-called 'Death Penalty for Terrorists Law', which it believes perpetuates racial discrimination and erodes human rights.
According to Palestine news and Information Agency - WAFA, the UN Committee emphasized that the law mandates death by hanging as the default sentence for cases involving an 'act of terrorism' adjudicated by Israeli military courts. These courts have exclusive authority over Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, whereas Israeli citizens and residents are specifically excluded from its application. The committee expressed concern that the law marks a significant shift from Israel's longstanding de facto moratorium on executions since 1962 and expands the use of the death penalty in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The committee further noted that the law is effectively applicable only to Palestinians, as it targets those convicted of deliberate killing with intent to deny the existence of the State of Israel. Additionally, the law prohibits any mitigation, commutation, or pardon of the death penalty and sets a strict 90-day deadline for executions once a final judgment is rendered.
The UN body pointed out that the adoption of the law occurs amid ongoing colonist violence and unlawful killings of Palestinians across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as well as persistent violations of due process and fair trial rights for Palestinians. As of January 2026, there are 9,243 Palestinians in Israeli custody, including 3,385 administrative detainees held without trial.
The committee called on Israel to end all policies and practices amounting to racial discrimination and segregation of Palestinians. It reminded that under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which Israel ratified in 1979, states are obligated to eliminate racial discrimination and guarantee equality before the law, irrespective of race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin.
The committee also urged all States Parties to adhere to their obligations under the Convention and ensure that their resources do not support or enforce discriminatory policies against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in line with recommendations from the Ad Hoc Conciliation Commission and the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion.
