EU: Israel’s decision to pass death penalty law for Palestinians is “very concerning”
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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.
IIsrael to destroy ‘all houses’ near Lebanon border
Meanwhile, Israel will destroy all homes in Lebanese villages near the border and 600,000 people who fled the south will not be allowed home until northern Israel is secure, the defence minister said on Tuesday, vowing to inflict Gaza-like destruction in the area.
Israel Katz reiterated Israeli plans to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, saying that it would maintain control over a swathe of territory up to the Litani River once the war with Iran-backed Hezbollah group ended.
More than 1.2 million people have been displaced and another 1,200 have been killed in Lebanon since Israel launched an offensive against Hezbollah on March 2, ignited by the group’s decision to open fire in support of Tehran in the regional war.
The Litani River meets the Mediterranean about 30 km (20 miles) north of Israel’s border, and the area between it and the Israeli border amounts to nearly a 10th of Lebanon’s territory.
The Israeli military (IDF) earlier this month ordered residents to leave swathes of the south, the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, and the group’s political heartlands in eastern Lebanon.
