Israel Expands Death Penalty Laws and Changes Territorial Policies

May 13, 2026, 14:05
European UnionPolitics

Introduction

The Israeli parliament has passed a new law that allows the death penalty for Palestinian residents of Gaza and the West Bank. This change happens as Israel also works to remove previous peace agreements.

Main Body

The Knesset voted 93-0 to create special courts to judge 'crimes against humanity' related to the events of October 7, 2023. These trials will be broadcast on television, following a legal pattern used during the 1962 trial of Adolf Eichmann. This law adds to previous rules that allow the execution of Palestinians for nationalist murder, although Jewish citizens are not subject to these penalties. Currently, about 1,000 Gazans are held as 'unlawful combatants,' and many West Bank residents are tried in military courts where conviction rates are reportedly over 90 percent. Furthermore, new laws are being developed to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state. For example, a member of the Jewish Power Party has proposed canceling the 1993 Oslo Accords. These efforts are part of a larger plan to register West Bank lands as exclusively Israeli. This expansion is clear from the number of settlers in the West Bank, which has grown from 110,000 in 1993 to about 530,000 today, with another 200,000 in East Jerusalem. Consequently, the international community has responded with criticism and sanctions. The United Kingdom and other European allies have described the death penalty laws as discriminatory. Meanwhile, the European Union has imposed sanctions on Israeli individuals and groups involved in illegal settlements. In response, Palestinian officials have called for non-violent resistance and more international pressure to end the occupation.

Conclusion

Israel has now created a legal system that applies the death penalty based on ethnicity and is moving toward the formal end of the Oslo Accords.

Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Jump': From Simple Lists to Logical Flow

At an A2 level, you likely use words like and, but, and because. To reach B2, you must stop listing facts and start connecting ideas.

Look at these three power-words from the text that act as 'bridges' for your thoughts:

  1. Furthermore →\rightarrow Use this instead of 'And also'.

    • Example: "The law allows the death penalty. Furthermore, it prevents the creation of a state."
    • B2 Logic: It tells the reader, "I have more important information to add to my previous point."

  2. Consequently →\rightarrow Use this instead of 'So'.

    • Example: "The laws are discriminatory. Consequently, the international community has responded with criticism."
    • B2 Logic: It creates a direct cause-and-effect link. Action A leads to Result B.

  3. Meanwhile →\rightarrow Use this to switch focus without losing the thread.

    • Example: "The UK described the laws as discriminatory. Meanwhile, the EU imposed sanctions."
    • B2 Logic: It shows two different things happening at the same time in the same context.

🛠️ Vocabulary Shift: Precision over Simplicity

To sound like a B2 speaker, replace generic A2 verbs with 'Precise Verbs'. Notice how the article avoids using "do" or "get":

A2 Word (Basic)B2 Word (Precise)Context in Text
Give/SetImpose"...imposed sanctions..."
ChangeExpand"Israel expands death penalty laws..."
Say/AskDescribe"...described the laws as discriminatory."

Pro Tip: Next time you want to say "The government gave a new rule," try "The government imposed a new regulation."

Vocabulary Learning

parliament (n.)
The national assembly that makes laws.
Example:The parliament debated the new law for several hours.
law (n.)
A rule that must be obeyed by everyone in a society.
Example:The law states that all citizens must pay taxes.
death penalty (n.)
The legal punishment of executing a convicted person.
Example:Many countries have abolished the death penalty.
special (adj.)
Designed for a particular purpose or situation.
Example:The special courts will handle cases of war crimes.
broadcast (v.)
To transmit a program over radio or television.
Example:The trial will be broadcast live on national television.
legal (adj.)
Relating to the law or following the law.
Example:She gave a legal opinion on the contract.
pattern (n.)
A repeated design or method.
Example:The new law follows a pattern used in previous trials.
trial (n.)
A formal examination of evidence to decide a case.
Example:The trial lasted for three days.
execution (n.)
The act of carrying out a death sentence.
Example:The execution was carried out according to the court's order.
nationalist (adj.)
Supporting the interests of one's nation above others.
Example:The nationalist movement demanded independence.
murder (n.)
The unlawful killing of a person.
Example:The suspect was charged with murder.
citizen (n.)
A person who belongs to a particular country and has its rights.
Example:All citizens must vote in the election.
unlawful (adj.)
Not allowed by law.
Example:The company was fined for unlawful practices.
combatants (n.)
People who fight in a war or conflict.
Example:The soldiers were considered lawful combatants.
military (adj.)
Relating to armed forces or war.
Example:The military seized the weapons.
conviction (n.)
A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime.
Example:His conviction was based on strong evidence.
prevent (v.)
To stop something from happening.
Example:The new law aims to prevent future conflicts.
creation (n.)
The act of making or bringing something into existence.
Example:The creation of the new district was controversial.
cancel (v.)
To officially stop or annul.
Example:The party member proposed to cancel the agreement.
expansion (n.)
The process of increasing in size or scope.
Example:The expansion of the settlement attracted many new residents.
settlers (n.)
People who move into a new area to live permanently.
Example:The settlers built homes in the new territory.
international (adj.)
Involving or relating to more than one country.
Example:The international community condemned the actions.
criticism (n.)
The expression of disapproval or unfavorable judgment.
Example:The government faced harsh criticism from activists.
sanctions (n.)
Official penalties or restrictions imposed by a country or group.
Example:The sanctions were aimed at reducing illegal trade.
discriminatory (adj.)
Treating people unfairly based on a characteristic.
Example:The policy was criticized as discriminatory.
illegal (adj.)
Not permitted by law.
Example:The construction was deemed illegal.
officials (n.)
People who hold public office or positions of authority.
Example:The officials announced new regulations.
non-violent (adj.)
Not involving violence or force.
Example:The protest was a non-violent demonstration.
pressure (n.)
The force or influence exerted on someone or something.
Example:International pressure helped negotiate a ceasefire.
occupation (n.)
The act of taking control of a territory or area.
Example:The occupation lasted for several years.