Palestinians accuse Israel of undermining international law by implying death sentences

RAMALLAH, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said Monday the Israel undermines international law by implying its use of death penalty against Palestinians who have been "indicted of carrying out, or trying to carry out operations."

The ministry said in an emailed press statement that this means that the death penalty is already used in Israel even before the law is passed, accusing Israel of undermining international law.

The statement went on saying that this new revelation "proofs that the Israeli government and various arms are involved in crimes against Palestinians that may be described as war crimes and crimes against humanity, necessitating a moral awakening and international protection of the unarmed Palestinian citizens from the oppressions of the occupation."

Last Wednesday, the Israeli Knesset passed by preliminary first reading a bill that allows death sentences to Palestinians. Spearheaded by the Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Libermann, the reading passed with a narrow win of 52 members of the Knesset versus 49 votes against.

If passed in second and third readings, military courts would have the authority to change a current law to issue death sentences by a simple majority among the judges panel, instead of requiring a unanimous vote. Enditem