31 March 2026 :

March 31, 2026 - Israel. Before it comes into force, the new law on the death penalty must be reviewed by the Constitutional Court

Yesterday, the Knesset, Israel’s unicameral parliament comprising 120 members, passed the death penalty bill by 62 votes to 48 (with 10 absent).

From a ‘parliamentary’ point of view, the law is ‘final’, given that in Israel there is no provision for ratification by the President of the Republic, as there is in Italy. In theory, this new law should come into force 30 days after the third reading vote, which took place on 30 March.

However, in Israel, the Supreme Court (also known as the High Court of Justice) may be called upon to intervene before a law comes into force.

Immediately following its approval, civil rights organisations – the most prominent of which is the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) – and Palestinian groups filed appeals with the Supreme Court, seeking the annulment of the law. Given the high level of domestic and international opposition, it is likely that the Court will scrutinise the text with particular care. Only after a ruling by the Constitutional Court would the new law, if applicable, become enforceable.

(Source: HoC)