A senior official from Human Rights Watch has called on the European Union to suspend its trade agreement with Israel following the approval of a controversial death penalty law targeting Palestinians.
Ahmed Benchemsi, the organization’s Middle East and North Africa advocacy director, said the EU must act in line with its legal commitments and human rights standards by halting the trade component of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. He argued that the move is long overdue, noting that a 2025 review had already found Israel in breach of its human rights obligations without prompting any meaningful response.
The criticism comes after Israel approved legislation allowing capital punishment for Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly attacks. According to Benchemsi, the law applies primarily to Palestinians in occupied territories through military courts, while Israeli citizens are excluded.
He described the measure as discriminatory, warning that it institutionalizes unequal legal treatment between Palestinians and Israelis. The law is expected to be enforced in the West Bank, where ongoing violence since October 2023 has resulted in significant casualties, injuries, and arrests, according to Palestinian data.
Benchemsi also raised concerns about judicial procedures, pointing to a high conviction rate in military courts and allegations that confessions are often obtained under coercion. He warned that the legislation could accelerate executions by reducing safeguards, including limiting access to legal counsel, restricting family visits, and allowing sentences to be carried out within a short timeframe.
He added that executions could proceed even without a formal request from prosecutors, increasing the risk of wrongful convictions and undermining due process.
Human Rights Watch opposes the death penalty globally, but Benchemsi said the situation in this case is particularly alarming due to what he described as systemic inequality. He argued that the law reinforces a dual legal system in the occupied territories, which he likened to apartheid.
Rejecting arguments that political or historical considerations justify continued support for Israel, Benchemsi said no state should endorse policies that violate international law. He warned that ongoing backing for Israel risks weakening the global legal framework established to protect civilians.
He concluded that suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement would be only an initial step, calling for broader international measures to ensure compliance with legal and human rights obligations.
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