The Knesset approved a controversial law Monday night allowing for the death penalty for terrorists, passing in second and third readings.

Prime Minister Netanyahu voted in favor, along with members of Yisrael Beyteinu. MK Benny Gantz and members of Degel Hatorah voted against. MK Avi Maoz was absent.

The law shifts the death penalty from a rarely used option to a practical sentencing tool, with key distinctions between regions.

In Judea and Samaria, the death penalty will become the default punishment for murder carried out under terrorist circumstances. Courts will no longer require unanimous approval to impose the sentence, and there will be no option for pardon or commutation.

Within the Green Line, courts may impose either the death penalty or life imprisonment for those who intentionally kill with the aim of harming the state.

The defense minister will determine whether suspects from Judea and Samaria are tried in military or civilian courts. Those sentenced to death will be held separately, with execution carried out within 90 days following an automatic appeal.

Under current law, military courts technically allow the death penalty but require unanimous judicial approval and have never carried out such a sentence.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)