The Israeli parliament on Monday passed legislation establishing the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis. The measure, which drew immediate condemnation and protests, is set to take effect in 30 days, though its implementation could face delays due to pending legal challenges before Israel’s highest tribunal.

Following the parliamentary vote, protests erupted across Palestinian territories on Tuesday. Palestinians of all ages participated in sit-ins and marches in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the new law is expected to have its most significant impact. Demonstrators in Nablus, a central West Bank city, displayed signs proclaiming, "Time is running out and silence is deadly." The Fatah political party has subsequently called for a general strike across the northern West Bank on Wednesday.

The new law mandates that West Bank military courts, which exclusively try Palestinians, impose the death penalty as the default sentence for those convicted of murdering Israelis, reserving exceptions only for special circumstances. The bill passed its final reading in the Knesset with cheers and applause. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's Minister of National Security, who championed the legislation, described it as long overdue. His celebration following the vote, including popping champagne, marked the culmination of a years-long campaign by elements of Israel's far-right.

A coalition of Israeli rights groups and opposition lawmakers has announced plans to file a petition with Israel’s Supreme Court, seeking to declare the new law null and void. While the legislation also extends to Israeli courts, providing them the option to impose the death penalty on Israeli citizens convicted of "nationalistic murder," legal experts interpret this language as effectively limiting the application of capital punishment to Palestinian citizens of Israel, while excluding Jewish citizens.