JERUSALEM: Israel's parliament approved a bill on Monday that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks, a move sharply criticized as discriminatory by European nations and rights groups.

Sixty-two lawmakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voted in favor and 48 against the bill, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. There was one abstention and the rest of the lawmakers were not present.

Israeli rights group petitions

A leading Israeli human rights group announced it had filed a petition with the country's Supreme Court challenging a bill approved by lawmakers on Monday that would permit the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks.

"The Association for Civil Rights in Israel filed a petition today to the High Court of Justice, demanding the annulment of the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law, enacted by the Knesset today, March 30, 2026," the rights group said in a statement shortly after lawmakers passed the bill.

The group said there were two grounds for annulling the bill.

"First, the Knesset has no authority to legislate for the West Bank. Israel holds no sovereignty there," it said, referring to the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.

"Second, the law is unconstitutional. It violates the right to life, human dignity, due process, and equality - rights protected under (Israel's) Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty."

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Israel parliament approves death penalty bill for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks