Lead

The United States said on Monday it respects Israel's right to set its own laws, after Israel's parliament introduced the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killings — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from European nations and rights groups, according to reports from Dawn.

"The United States respects Israel's sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism," a State Department spokesperson said, as quoted by Dawn. The spokesperson added that Washington trusts "any such measures will be carried out with a fair trial and respect for all applicable fair trial guarantees and protections."

The United States is the only NATO country that still practices capital punishment and has long been Israel's key diplomatic and military supporter, the report noted.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage from two Dawn articles (one a broader international report, the other focused on the EU condemnation and the US stance) consistently reported the international backlash, but each placed different emphasis. The first article led with the US statement, framing the story as the diplomatic tension between US support and European criticism. The second article led with the EU's condemnation and highlighted the asymmetry of the law, noting it applies to Palestinians but not Israelis committing the same crimes. Both articles quoted the same officials, including EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Key Claims

  • US stance: The United States respects Israel's sovereign right to set its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism, with the caveat that fair trial guarantees must be respected. (Reported by Dawn, quoting a State Department spokesperson.)
  • Legislation details: The bill, passed by the Israeli parliament, makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank found guilty of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks deemed "acts of terrorism" by an Israeli military court. (Reported by Dawn in both articles.)
  • EU condemnation: The European Union condemned the bill as "discriminatory." EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said the introduction of the death penalty, "together with the discriminatory nature of the law," is "very concerning" and "a clear step backwards." (Quoted in both Dawn articles.)
  • German position: Germany said it could "not endorse" the law, with government spokesman Stefan Kornelius stating that rejection of the death penalty is "a fundamental principle of German policy." He also warned the law "would likely apply exclusively to Palestinians in the Palestinian territories." (Quoted in both articles.)
  • Spanish prime minister: Pedro Sanchez condemned the bill as "a step closer to apartheid," saying it is "an asymmetric measure that would not apply to Israelis who committed the same crimes." (Quoted in both articles.)
  • European joint statement: Britain, France, Germany, and Italy expressed "deep concern" over the move, warning it risked "undermining Israel's commitments with regards to democratic principles," according to a report in Dawn. (Reported in the first article only.)
  • Israeli execution history: Israel has not carried out a judicial execution since 1962, when it hanged Nazi Adolf Eichmann, a key perpetrator of the Holocaust. (Reported in the first article.)
  • Legal challenge: Several Israeli human rights groups, along with three members of parliament, filed petitions to the Israeli Supreme Court seeking to overturn the law, citing conflict with Israel's Basic Laws which prohibit arbitrary discrimination. (Reported in the second article.)
  • Palestinian reaction: Abdullah al-Zaghari, director of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, condemned the move as "an openly discriminatory law," calling it "fascist and racist legislation" reflecting "the reality of the occupation." (Quoted in the second article.)

Perspectives

United States

Washington expressed confidence in Israel's judicial system, stating it respects the country's sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties, while expressing trust that any measures would be carried out with fair trial guarantees.

European Union and European states

The EU and several European governments condemned the legislation as discriminatory and a step backwards. Germany cited its fundamental opposition to the death penalty, and Spain's prime minister likened the measure to apartheid. Britain, France, Germany, and Italy jointly expressed deep concern.

Israeli rights groups and Palestinian representatives

Israeli human rights organizations and Palestinian officials criticized the law as discriminatory and contrary to democratic principles. Legal petitions were filed with Israel's Supreme Court, and the Palestinian Prisoners Club called the legislation "fascist and racist."