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Knesset Approves Death-Penalty Bill, Allows Hanging, Cuts Pardons

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Knesset approved a death-penalty bill on March 30 2026 with 62 votes for, 48 against and one abstention.
Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth signed the order that mandates hanging, lets military courts impose death sentences by simple majority and removes the power to pardon or commute.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the law ends the prospect of prisoner-exchange deals or comfortable prison conditions for terrorists.

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Story summary

The Knesset approved a death-penalty bill on March 30 2026 with 62 votes for, 48 against and one abstention.
Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth signed the order that mandates hanging, lets military courts impose death sentences by simple majority and removes the power to pardon or commute.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the law ends the prospect of prisoner-exchange deals or comfortable prison conditions for terrorists.