Israel: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament

The EU has a principled position against the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances.

Israel had long upheld a de facto moratorium on both executions and capital punishment sentencing, thereby leading by example in the region despite a complex security environment.

The approval of the Death Penalty Bill by the Israeli Parliament marks a grave regression from that practice and from Israel’s own commitments. We are deeply concerned about the de facto discriminatory character of the Bill.

Consistent with our global efforts towards universal abolition of the death penalty, the EU urges Israel to abide by its previous principled position and with its obligations under international law, as well as its commitment to democratic principles, as reflected also in the provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and cannot be executed without violation of the absolute right to be free from torture and other ill-treatment. Capital punishment has also no proven deterrent effect and renders any judicial errors irreversible.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/fr/press/press-releases/2026/03/31/israel-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-approval-of-the-death-penalty-bill-by-the-israeli-parliament/