The Knesset approved the final reading of the law introducing the death penalty in Israel for acts of terrorism, passed with 62 votes in favor and 48 against. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in favor, one of the ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition opposed it, while the law received the support of Avigdor Lieberman’s opposition party.
According to the text, ”anyone who intentionally causes the death of a person as part of an act of terrorism, with the intent to deny the existence of the State of Israel” is liable to the death penalty. The final text provides that the court has the power to convert the sentence to life imprisonment, as well as to impose the capital punishment even if not requested by the prosecution and without the need for unanimity among the judges.