New Israel Fund Australia Condemns Passage of Israeli Death Penalty Law
31 March 2026 - Sydney
New Israel Fund (NIF) Australia condemns the passage of a law in the Knesset mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of lethal acts of terrorism inside of the West Bank. NIF describes the law as a profound blow to equal rights, moral and human rights principles, and further evidence of the outsized influence of violent extremist figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir within the Israeli government.
“This legislation is a moral and legal disaster”, said Kate Rosenberg, NIF 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.”
A representative of Israel’s Justice Ministry has cautioned that applying the death penalty through civilian legislation in the West Bank is “very problematic.” IDF officials have warned the law conflicts with international commitments and the Foreign Ministry has acknowledged it is likely to generate significant international backlash.
NIF Australia welcomes the decision by the Australian Government, alongside the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France, to express concern about the legislation in a joint statement. Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s support reinforces the view that policies which undermine democratic values and human rights will face scrutiny from Israel’s democratic allies.
NIF Australia warns that the law is likely to inflame tensions, deepen international isolation, and trigger significant legal challenges within Israel.
Leading civil society organisations, including NIF grantee the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, have already presented petitions to challenge the law in the Supreme Court. NIF Australia stands with all those working to oppose this legislation and defend the rule of law.
There remains hope that through legal challenges, sustained public opposition, and democratic change, this law can be overturned by a future Israeli government no longer beholden to extremist political forces.
