Israel’s decision to pass a law making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks is “very concerning” for the European Union, said a Commission spokesperson on Tuesday.
“This is a clear step backwards,” added the spokesperson at a news briefing. “We call Israel to abide by its previous principled position, its obligation under international law and its commitment to democratic principles,” he said.
He added he had no speculation to make regarding any steps that could be taken by the EU Commission over Israel‘s move.
On Monday, Israel’s parliament making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks, fulfilling a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies.
Spain‘s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday condemned the measure as a “step towards apartheid“.
“It is an asymmetrical measure that would not apply to Israelis committing the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. It’s another step towards apartheid. The world cannot stay silent,” Sanchez, one of the most vocal supporters of Palestinians among Western leaders, wrote on X on Tuesday.
Apartheid was the system of racial segregation enforced by South Africa‘s white minority governments in the second half of last century.
Spain has been embroiled in a diplomatic standoff with Israel since Madrid‘s sharp criticism of the Israeli government during the 2023-25 Gaza war, which it labelled as genocide.
Israel’s officials have called Spain’s stance antisemitic on several occasions.
The rift worsened this month after Spain’s opposition to the US-Israel attacks on Iran, leading Madrid to permanently withdraw its ambassador to Israel on March 11.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)