Turkey on Tuesday strongly condemned the controversial new law passed in Israel, celebrated with champagne by members of the Knesset (Israeli parliament), which introduces the death penalty by hanging exclusively for Palestinians: a decision described by Ankara as “illegal and racist” and as a step that exacerbates systemic discrimination.
In an official statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the legislation adopted by the Knesset as being designed to apply solely to Palestinians and constituting a mere continuation of the policies of aggression and discrimination directed against the Palestinian people. The ministry added that the measure is considered by Ankara to be “null and void” under international law and criticised Israel for deepening practices that undermine the rights of Palestinians.
“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” stated the official communiqué, which also urged the international community, in particular the United Nations, to take action “in response to the occupying power Israel’s racist and unlawful steps“.
Death penalty only for Palestinians and no right to appeal
The Israeli Parliament approved the legislation on Monday, establishing the death penalty as the standard sentence for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank found guilty of carrying out fatal attacks against Israelis, without establishing a reciprocal measure for cases involving Jews —mainly settlers from illegal settlements— accused of killing Palestinians.
The measure is particularly serious and worrying given that it is not uncommon for Israeli courts to convict minors of terrorism or murder, in many cases by military courts without sufficient evidence and without the minimum legal safeguards.
Under the law, executions would be carried out by hanging and would be carried out by designated prison staff from the Israel Prison Service, who would enjoy anonymity and legal protection. Palestinians sentenced to death would be held in special detention centres, with highly restricted visits and limited access to legal assistance, as meetings could only take place via videoconference.
The legislation passed by the Knesset allows Israeli courts to impose the death penalty on their own initiative and without a formal request from the prosecution, and authorises verdicts to be reached by a simple majority rather than unanimity. Furthermore, it also applies to the controversial Israeli military courts that try Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and even empowers the Defence Minister to issue an opinion during the proceedings. Moreover, the law removes the right of appeal once the sentence has been handed down, facilitating and accelerating the process of carrying out the death penalty.
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
