Position of the Public Committee against Torture in Israel, Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Hamoked – Center for the Defense of the Individual, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel, regarding the Penal Law Bill (Amendment – Death Penalty for Terrorists). Having passed committee stage, the bill in its final
A non official translation of the Prosecution of Participants in the October 7, 2023 Massacre Events (Shemini Atzeret Massacre) Bill, 5786–2026
The Prosecution of Participants in the October 7 Massacre Events Bill (5786–2026), expected to be brought to a final vote in the Knesset plenum on May 11, 2026, would establish a special military tribunal to adjudicate Palestinians held in Israeli custody on suspicion of participation in the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023 and the
(5 May 2026) In the summer legislative session that begins Sunday, the Israeli Knesset is expected to vote on a bill to establish a special court for prosecuting those suspected of participating in the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. The bill would allow designated judges — selected by the Israeli military — to
It’s a sad day at the Public Committee Against Torture (PCATI). And I’ve never been prouder. Last night, the Israeli Knesset passed a racist law authorizing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing for nationalistic reasons. It establishes death by hanging as the default punishment for those crimes, exempting Israeli Jews from its application,
Human Rights and Civil Society Organizations in Israel: Israel’s Death Penalty Law Institutionalizes Discrimination and Racist Violence against Palestinians Monday, March 30, 2026 Today, the Israeli Knesset voted a new, draconian death penalty bill into law by a majority of 62 to 48. In response, a coalition of human rights and civil society organizations in
Submitted to the National Security Committee, updated 15 March 2026
The Foundation for Middle East Peace interviews PCATI Director Sari Bashi on the military’s decision to drop charges against soldiers accused of a brutal assault on a Palestinian detainee .
Under cover of a war of choice and obscured from public view, the Israeli Knesset is advancing an agenda of death. Around the world, countries are increasingly abandoning the death penalty, but this week, the Knesset is resuming hearings to reintroduce and expand a particularly retributive and racist version of it. Lawmakers have scheduled marathon
Even in these difficult times, the Committee Against Torture continues to work for the wellbeing, safety, and dignity of prisoners, who are particularly vulnerable in times of emergency. With the outbreak of the war, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) implemented emergency regulations suspending most prisoner meetings with lawyers. Read the full newsletter