EU: Israel's Death Penalty Law "Very Alarming"

Moscow (ANTARA) - The European Union has voiced serious concern regarding the death penalty law passed by Israel’s parliament. “The death penalty bill in Israel is very alarming for us in the European Union. It is a clear regression,” stated EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni on Tuesday (31/3). He added that the law also has a discriminatory character. Previously, Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that the Israeli parliament had approved the death penalty law for terrorists. Under the law, convicts will be held in isolation and can only be visited by authorities, while meetings with lawyers will be conducted via video. Executions are scheduled within 90 days after the verdict and will be attended by prison officials, judicial representatives, official observers, and family representatives. Israeli media previously reported that the law would apply to perpetrators of murders motivated by nationalism or racism. The policy has faced criticism for potentially being applied discriminatorily, likely targeting only Palestinian citizens.