Türkiye has vehemently denounced the Israeli parliament’s decision to approve legislation imposing the death penalty on Palestinians.
“We condemn the legislation adopted by the Israeli parliament introducing the death penalty, which is intended to be applied exclusively to Palestinians,” read a written statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on March 31.
This legislation, aimed at further entrenching the occupying power Israel’s apartheid regime against Palestinians, constitutes a continuation of policies of denial, annihilation, and political executions targeting the Palestinian people and is unlawful and null and void,” it said.
“We call on the international community, foremost the United Nations, to take action in response to the occupying power Israel’s racist and unlawful steps.”
The bill was approved in second and third readings by 62 votes against 47, and one abstention, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in support of the law. Following the vote, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir welcomed the legislation, calling it “a historic day.”
Many European countries, the European Union and all prominent regional countries have condemned Israeli legislation, describing the move as another grave violation of international human rights law.
Islamic nations on April 2 including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Indonesia lambasted the approval of the bill.
The statement was released by foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.
"This legislation constitutes a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners, and stressed that such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability," the joint statement read.
