Israeli MPs back special tribunal with death penalty powers for alleged 7 October attackers

"Israeli lawmakers have approved setting up a livestreamed special tribunal with the power to sentence to death Palestinians convicted of taking part in the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 that triggered the war in Gaza. The measure was passed by 93 votes to none in the 120-seat Knesset, Israel's parliament, reflecting widespread support among Israel's Jewish majority for punishing those found responsible for the deadliest single attack in Israel's history. The remaining 27 lawmakers were absent or abstained from voting."

"Under the new legislation, the tribunal will be able to charge the alleged assailants under Israel's 1950 law for the prevention of genocide, which carries the death penalty. Rights groups have criticised the measure, saying it makes the death penalty too easy to impose while also doing away with procedures safeguarding the right to a fair trial. Defendants can appeal against their sentences but the appeals have to be heard by a separate, special appeals court rather than regular appeals courts."

"Because the bill empowers a panel of judges to hand down the death penalty by a majority vote, and requires the trials to be conducted in a livestreamed Je"

Israeli lawmakers approved creating a livestreamed special tribunal empowered to sentence to death Palestinians convicted of participating in the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack that began the Gaza war. The measure passed 93-0 in the 120-seat Knesset, with 27 lawmakers absent or abstaining. The tribunal is separate from a March law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, which drew international and rights-group condemnation. The tribunal can charge alleged assailants under Israel’s 1950 law for prevention of genocide, which carries the death penalty. Defendants may appeal, but appeals are heard by a special appeals court rather than regular courts. Rights groups criticized the process as lowering safeguards for fair trials, and legal experts raised due-process concerns about military settings and politicized show trials.

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