New Israel Fund Australia condemns passage of death penalty law in Israel
New Israel Fund Australia has condemned the Knesset’s passage of legislation that mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of lethal acts of terrorism in the West Bank, describing it as a serious setback for equal rights and core moral and human rights principles.
The organisation says the law highlights the growing influence of violent extremist figures, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, within the Israeli government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the Knesset in Jerusalem on May 23, 2023. Photo by Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS
“This legislation is a moral and legal disaster,” said Kate Rosenberg, New Israel Fund Australia executive director. “It violates fundamental human rights, undermines Israel’s standing in the world, and gives extremist political actors unprecedented power over life-and-death decisions. The warnings from within Israel’s civil society and government underscore how reckless this law truly is.”
Kate Rosenberg – NIF (Linkedin)
Senior Israeli officials have raised serious concerns. A representative from Israel’s Justice Ministry has described the application of the death penalty through civilian legislation in the West Bank as “very problematic.” Israel Defence Forces officials have warned that the measure conflicts with international commitments, while the Foreign Ministry has acknowledged it is likely to provoke significant international backlash.
New Israel Fund Australia has welcomed the joint statement of concern issued by the Australian government together with the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. It says Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s involvement reinforces the expectation that policies undermining democratic values and human rights will attract scrutiny from Israel’s democratic allies.
The organisation warns that the law is likely to exacerbate tensions, increase Israel’s international isolation, and spark major legal challenges at home. Leading civil society groups, including New Israel Fund grantee the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, have already filed petitions to the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the legislation.
New Israel Fund Australia has pledged its support for all those opposing the law and working to uphold the rule of law. It expressed hope that legal challenges, sustained public opposition and future democratic change could see the legislation repealed by an Israeli government no longer reliant on extremist political forces.
The New Israel Fund is an international organisation that supports civil society groups working to advance democracy, equality and social justice in Israel. It provides grants to Israeli nonprofits and promotes the vision of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state that ensures full equality for all its inhabitants, regardless of religion, ethnicity, race or gender.
