Indonesia Strongly Condemns Israel's Legalisation of Death Penalty for Palestinian Detainees

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian government has strongly condemned the approval by the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, of a controversial bill regarding the obligation of military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinian citizens proven to have killed Israelis in acts of ‘terrorism’. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) emphasised that the policy is unacceptable as it wounds the sense of justice for humanity. “The Government of the Republic of Indonesia strongly condemns the Knesset’s approval of the law imposing the death penalty on Palestinian detainees. The policy is unacceptable and wounds the sense of justice as well as universal humanitarian values,” Kemenlu wrote on its X account @Kemlu_RI on Wednesday (1/4/2026). Therefore, the Indonesian government urges Israel to immediately repeal the law. “And to stop all actions contrary to international law, as well as to guarantee protection of the basic rights of the Palestinian people, including detainees,” Kemenlu wrote. “Indonesia reaffirms its full support for the Palestinian people’s struggle to achieve independence with East Jerusalem as its capital,” Kemenlu wrote. Previously reported, the Knesset approved a controversial bill mandating military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians proven to have killed Israelis in acts categorised as ‘terrorism’. However, this law does not apply to Israeli Jewish citizens who kill Palestinians. The bill will take effect in 30 days and was approved on Monday (30/3/2026) by 62 Knesset members, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with 48 opposing and one abstaining, out of a total of 120 seats. The approval of this law has triggered condemnation from various parties, including the United Nations (UN), human rights groups, as well as governments and international organisations. According to an Associated Press report, the law represents the culmination of long efforts driven by right-wing groups in Israel to impose harsher penalties on Palestinians involved in nationalist-motivated violations against Israelis. In the session, he even wore a pin shaped like a noose as a symbol of execution. “Starting today, every terrorist will know, and the whole world will know, that whoever takes a life, the state of Israel will take their life,” he stated, as quoted by The Guardian. The law was approved with 62 votes in favour and 48 against, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu present at the Knesset and providing support.