Israel’s Knesset has passed legislation that allows military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians living under Israeli control.
I have signed a parliamentary motion calling on the Government to condemn this law and to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations.
But condemnation alone is not enough.
The Government should use the tools at its disposal – an arms embargo, sanctions, and sustained diplomatic pressure – to put an end to Israel’s illegal occupation and what major Israeli, Palestinian, and international human rights organisations have slammed as apartheid policies.
The motion reads:
“That this House expresses grave concern at the passage by the Israeli Knesset on 30 March 2026 of the Penal Law (Amendment – Death Penalty for Terrorists), which introduces the death penalty as the default punishment for Palestinians convicted of terrorism offences in territories under Israeli control, including in the occupied West Bank; notes that the law enables military courts to impose capital punishment by majority decision, curtails due process protections and permits executions within 90 days, including by hanging; further notes that Palestinians are tried in military courts lacking full guarantees of independence, impartiality and fair trial rights, while Israeli citizens in the same territory are subject to civilian courts, resulting in differential legal systems and penalties; expresses deep concern that this framework may amount to discriminatory treatment and contribute to a system of apartheid, as identified in international legal analyses; recognises that the death penalty contravenes the United Kingdom’s longstanding opposition to capital punishment and raises serious concerns under international human rights law, including the rights to life, equality before the law and due process; and calls on the Government urgently to condemn the introduction of this law to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations.”
Read the full motion and view the list of signatories here: link