Australian Jewish groups criticise Israel’s new death penalty law

Australia’s leading Jewish advocacy bodies have spoken out against the discriminatory character of Israel’s new death penalty law, with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) all but calling on the Australian government to oppose it.

The legislation, which was passed this week by the Knesset, effectively applies the death penalty to West Bank Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis but not vice-versa. Under the bill, there is no requirement for a unanimous verdict, no pardon provision, and executions must be carried out within 90 days of sentence confirmation.

“The Act applies differential standards based on nationality alone. This falls well short of the principle of equal justice,” ECAJ said in a statement.

“Australia has a proud and consistent record of opposing the death penalty in all circumstances, for all people,” ECAJ added, which made clear its sentiment while stopping just short of urging the government to act.

The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) also strongly criticised the discriminatory application of the law. “This legislation creates parallel legal tracks that apply different standards depending on the nationality of the accused,” ZFA posted on social media.

“That is not our characterisation alone. Israel’s own Attorney-General’s office, its security establishment and its Foreign Ministry raised objections to the bill. These were not the voices of Israel’s critics. They were the voices of Israel’s institutions.