Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, others condemn Israeli death penalty law for Palestinians

ISLAMABAD: Foreign ministers from Pakistan and seven other Muslim countries have strongly condemned a new Israeli law allowing the imposition of the death penalty on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, calling it a dangerous escalation that could further inflame tensions in the region.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates criticised what they described as “increasingly discriminatory” Israeli practices and warned against policies they said entrenched a system of apartheid and denied the rights of Palestinians in occupied territories.

The ministers said the legislation represented a serious escalation, particularly due to its alleged discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners, and warned it could undermine regional stability.

They also expressed deep concern over the conditions of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, citing reports of abuse, including torture, inhumane treatment, starvation and denial of basic rights. The statement said such practices reflected a broader pattern of violations.

The foreign ministers reiterated their opposition to what they described as Israel’s discriminatory and aggressive policies targeting Palestinians, and called for urgent steps to avoid further escalation on the ground.

They urged greater international efforts to ensure accountability and to maintain stability in the region, stressing the need to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

The joint statement comes amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which has drawn widespread international concern over its humanitarian and security implications.

The law, approved by Israel’s parliament on Monday, introduces capital punishment by hanging as the standard sentence for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank found guilty of killing Israelis. The measure was pushed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who celebrated its passage after lawmakers voted 62 to 48 in favour.

Palestinian authorities described the law as a “dangerous escalation”, arguing that it attempts to legitimise extrajudicial killings under a legal framework while asserting Israeli control over occupied territory.

Hamas warned that the legislation sets a “dangerous precedent” that could endanger Palestinian detainees, urging global bodies such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene.

Mustafa Barghouti, a senior Palestinian political figure, said the law reflects an increasingly hardline shift within Israel’s political system and criticised the lack of meaningful international action.

Rights groups, including the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, condemned the measure as a violation of international humanitarian law, warning it could deepen impunity and weaken global legal norms if left unchallenged.