Jerusalem: Israel's Knesset (parliament) on Monday passed a controversial law allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners. The bill was approved in second and third readings by 62 votes against 47, with one abstention.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in support of the law. Following the vote, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the legislation, calling it 'a historic day.' "Soon, they will be executed one by one," Ben-Gvir said. The bill was introduced by The Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) Party, led by far-right Ben-Gvir, and passed its first reading last November.

Last week, the Knesset's National Security Committee approved a bill to execute Palestinian prisoners after amending it, and referred it for the second and third readings required for its passage, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, without mentioning the nature of the amendments. The bill stipulates "the death penalty for anyone who intentionally or negligently causes the death of an Israeli citizen motivated by racism or hatred, or with the intent to harm Israel."

However, the bill has faced criticism within Israel. More than 9,300 Palestinians, including 350 children and 66 women, are currently imprisoned in Israeli jails. According to Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations, they suffer from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which has led to the deaths of dozens.

Since October 2023, Israel has escalated its measures against Palestinian prisoners, coinciding with its war on the Gaza Strip with American support, which resulted in more than 72,000 deaths and around 172,000 injuries, most of them children and women.