The European condemnation after the approval of the death penalty law: “a big step backwards”

The death penalty law for terrorists was approved last night by the Knesset in the second and third readings and entered Israel’s law book, despite sharp criticism from Europe that called on Israel to retract it. The European Union published today (Tuesday) a statement condemning the law, and at the same time sources familiar with the details who spoke with N12 clarified that there is no threat on the table against Israel in the form of canceling the Association Agreement, and concrete measures against it have not been discussed in Brussels.

“Europe is very disappointed by this decision and thinks it is in bad taste. The European relationship with Israel is already in a difficult place,” said some of the sources. According to the sources, the Union’s opposition to the death penalty is principled, deep and broad, and does not apply only to Israel. According to them, the fact that the law is aimed specifically at the Palestinians increases dissatisfaction in the European Union – positions that were also expressed in the Union’s official statement of condemnation.

“The death penalty law is of great concern to us. The death penalty alongside the discriminatory nature of the law – this is a clear step backwards,” said a spokesman for the European Commission, adding: “The European Union opposes the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances. We call on Israel to stick to its previous position regarding the death penalty.”

Alongside the condemnation of the European Union and the great dissatisfaction, the chances of Israel being suspended from the association agreement are very low, and there is no real European plan to promote the move. In order to suspend the agreement, a large and special majority of countries is needed – the Union was not able to muster the required majority during Israel’s war in Gaza, and according to estimates, it is unlikely that it will be able to do so even now.

“There is no precedent for this as far as the European Union is concerned. He is in contact with many countries that have the death penalty. He objected but he did nothing in practice,” says Dr. Maya Shion-Zedekiah, director of the Israel-Europe program at the Mitvim Institute and a lecturer at the Europe Forum at the Hebrew University. “This could affect future negotiations on an agreement with Israel.”

Yesterday we reported that an hour ago an application was placed on the Knesset’s desk from the Council of Europe, a body in which Israel received observer status in the Parliamentary Assembly, according to which the process of suspending Israel’s status in the Council will begin if the law is approved. The initial hearing has already been scheduled for April 22 (as a more general hearing on the abolition of the death penalty) and according to estimates, a vote and a final decision on the issue is expected to take place in the summer session (June 22-26), so it is a relatively quick process.

Shion-Zedekiah explains that although the council does not have much practical effect, it has a declarative meaning. “The very fact that Israel will be removed is a difficult diplomatic-political signal. It puts us in a slot reminiscent of Russia and Belarus. This is Israel as a politically leprous country.”