Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, strongly condemned on Thursday Israel’s enactment of a law imposing the death penalty in the occupied West Bank, describing it as part of “increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices” against Palestinians. The joint statement, issued by the foreign ministers of eight nations, warned that the legislation risks further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability.
ISLAMABAD – A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar said the countries “strongly condemn the Israeli occupying power’s enactment of a law in its parliament (Knesset), that allows the imposition of the death penalty in the occupied West Bank and its de facto application against Palestinians.” The statement was shared by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on social media platform X.
Provisions of the Controversial Law
Israel’s parliament passed the law on Monday making the death penalty a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military court of deadly attacks. The measure includes provisions requiring sentencing within 90 days with no right to clemency.
Under the bill, the death penalty can be imposed without a request from the prosecution, unanimity will not be required for a death sentence, and the decision will be made by a simple majority. Military courts applying to Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank would also be able to impose the death penalty, with the defense minister having the right to submit an opinion to the judicial panel.
For Palestinians under Israeli occupation sentenced to death, the bill eliminates avenues for pardon or appeal, while those tried inside Israel could have the sentence commuted to life imprisonment.
‘Discriminatory, Escalating Israeli Practices’
The ministers cautioned against “the increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices that entrench a system of apartheid and a rejectionist discourse that denies the inalienable rights and the very existence of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
They described the legislation as “a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners,” adding that “such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability.”
Concerns Over Prisoner Conditions
The statement also highlighted the plight of Palestinian detainees, expressing deep concern over the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention, warning of mounting risks amid credible reports of ongoing abuses, “including torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, starvation, and the denial of basic rights.”
The ministers said these practices “reflect a broader pattern of violations against the Palestinian people.”
Call for Accountability
Reaffirming their opposition to Israel’s policies, the ministers condemned “Israel’s racially discriminatory, oppressive, and aggressive policies targeting Palestinians.” They called for urgent restraint, noting the “importance of ensuring accountability and strengthened international efforts to uphold stability and prevent further deterioration.”
International Response
The joint condemnation from eight Muslim nations represents a significant diplomatic rebuke of Israel’s legislation. The inclusion of countries that have normalized relations with Israel—including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Egypt—carries particular weight, signaling broad regional opposition to the death penalty law.
The condemnation follows similar statements from human rights organizations and the United Nations, which have warned that the law violates international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention’s protections for civilians in occupied territories.
Context of Rising Tensions
The enactment of the death penalty law comes amid escalating tensions across the region, with the US-Israel war on Iran now in its second month. The conflict has spread to Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have displaced more than one million people, and to the Gulf, where Iranian attacks have targeted US assets and commercial infrastructure.
The law also follows the “No Kings” protests in the United States, where demonstrators have decried Trump’s policies on Iran and what they describe as authoritarian overreach.
Analysis: A Dangerous Escalation
The joint condemnation from eight Muslim nations underscores the seriousness with which regional powers view Israel’s death penalty legislation. By eliminating avenues for pardon or appeal and allowing death sentences to be imposed by simple majority in military courts, the law creates a legal framework for capital punishment that exists for no other population under Israeli jurisdiction.
The inclusion of countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel in the condemnation—particularly the UAE, Jordan, and Egypt—signals that the law has damaged Israel’s standing even among its regional partners. For Pakistan, which does not recognize Israel, the condemnation aligns with its longstanding support for Palestinian rights.
The reference to “a system of apartheid” in the joint statement echoes language used by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have documented what they describe as institutionalized discrimination against Palestinians in the occupied territories.
As the law moves toward implementation, international pressure is likely to intensify. The eight-nation condemnation may be followed by further diplomatic measures, including potential referrals to international courts. For the Palestinians who would be subject to its provisions, the stakes could not be higher.
