EU Condemns Israeli Parliament's Death Penalty Bill Approval

EU Council Press Releases

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

The EU High Representative issued a statement condemning the Israeli Parliament's approval of the Death Penalty Bill, expressing deep concern about its discriminatory character. The EU reiterates its principled opposition to the death penalty in all cases and circumstances, urging Israel to revert to its previous de facto moratorium and comply with international law obligations.

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What changed

On March 31, 2026, the EU High Representative issued a statement on behalf of the European Union strongly condemning the Israeli Parliament's approval of the Death Penalty Bill. The EU emphasized that Israel had long maintained a de facto moratorium on executions and capital punishment, and viewed this development as a grave regression from that practice and from Israel's commitments under international law and the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

While this is a diplomatic statement rather than binding legislation, compliance officers at companies with EU trade relations or government affairs functions should note the EU's position. There are no immediate compliance deadlines or penalties associated with this statement. The EU calls on Israel to abide by its previous principled position and international law obligations, consistent with EU global efforts toward universal abolition of the death penalty.

Source document (simplified)

Council of the EU
Statements and remarks
31 March 2026 19:40

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.