‘A Step Closer to Apartheid’

Global outrage continues to mount against a new law passed by Israel’s parliament Monday, which would make death by hanging the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks. The law is written so that it cannot apply to Israelis convicted of the same crimes.

The measure passed with 62 of the Knesset’s 120 members voting in favor, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the far-right Jewish Power party, who has a history of violence and incitement against Palestinians. Ben-Gvir and his supporters wore gold lapel pins shaped like nooses on the floor of the legislature to show their support for the bill.

“Soon, we will count them one by one,” Ben-Gvir said of the executions to come, while celebrating with champagne.