The Organization for Human Rights Meezaan expresses its rejection of the Israeli Knesset’s approval of the so-called “Death Penalty Law,” which constitutes a dangerous precedent in the legislative system and a grave violation of the right to life as the fundamental right upon which all human rights are based.
This law comes within a broader context of escalating policies and legislation that systematically target the Arab and Palestinian presence, including Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, who are already subjected to harsh humanitarian conditions and deprived of the most basic necessities of a dignified life.
In its current form, the law entrenches a dual legal system based on discrimination on the grounds of national identity, as it is effectively applied to Palestinians alone—whether through military courts in the occupied territories or via broad legal definitions within the Israeli judicial system—thereby undermining the principle of equality before the law.
Moreover, its application to Palestinians constitutes a clear violation of the rules of international humanitarian law, particularly the Hague and Geneva Conventions, which prohibit occupying authorities from imposing their legislation on populations under occupation.
Meezaan warns that this law, alongside other racist legislation, further reinforces a climate of impunity and provides legal cover for serious violations.
In this context, Meezaan stresses that international protection for Palestinian prisoners has become more urgent than ever and calls for effective international action, including the activation of international accountability mechanisms, foremost among them the International Criminal Court.
Confronting this law represents a legal and media battle for justice and humanity, requiring the concerted efforts of human rights organizations, as well as political and media actors, to advocate for the cause of prisoners and to take practical steps to safeguard the right to life and human dignity.
Organization for Human Rights Meezaan – Nazareth
Monday, March 30, 2026
