Four European foreign ministers—Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom—express deep concern about Israel's proposed Death Penalty Bill, warning it could expand capital punishment and may be voted into law next week.

They criticize the bill as de facto discriminatory and say its adoption could undermine Israel's democratic commitments, urging Israeli leaders to abandon the measure.

The ministers' joint statement reiterates a shared stance against the death penalty and underscores expectations for a reversal of the bill.

Independent UN experts, speaking for themselves though mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, add to international scrutiny over Israel's planned legal changes on capital punishment.

Israel currently reserves the death penalty only for extreme cases such as genocide or treason in wartime, with no regular-court executions since 1962.

The proposed amendment would broaden the death-penalty scope, especially for terrorism, expanding beyond the long-standing restrictions tied to crimes against humanity and treason.

The bill would deviate from Israel's de facto moratorium by introducing new circumstances under which the death penalty could be imposed.

The German Foreign Office released the statement on March 29, 2026, highlighting international concern.

The brief note confirms no exact figures or dates beyond the upcoming vote week for the bill.

The joint call fits into ongoing international scrutiny of Israel's capital-punishment changes and aligns with broader human-rights and democratic-norm debates.

The measure is driven by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and would require mandatory death sentences for certain offenses.

In the occupied West Bank, death penalties would be imposed by military courts for terrorist acts causing death, while in Israel proper and East Jerusalem, capital punishment would target intentional killings of Israeli citizens or residents under criminal law.