Foreign ministers caution against the discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices entrenching a system of apartheid
Members of Israeli security forces patrol along a street during a military raid in the neighbourhood of Kafr Aqab near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on January 26, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, strongly condemned on Thursday Israel’s enactment of a law imposing the death penalty in the occupied West Bank, describing it as part of “increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices” against Palestinians.
A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar said the countries “strongly condemn the Israeli occupying power’s enactment of a law in its parliament (Knesset), that allows the imposition of the death penalty in the occupied West Bank and its de facto application against Palestinians,” read the statement shared by the Foreign Office on X.
🔊PR No.8️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE, April 2, 2026 https://t.co/GKTdbpMA4x
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JorvmR440f— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 2, 2026
Israel’s parliament passed a law on Monday making the death penalty a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military court of deadly attacks.
The measure includes provisions requiring sentencing within 90 days with no right to clemency. Under the bill, the death penalty can be imposed without a request from the prosecution, unanimity will not be required for a death sentence, and the decision will be made by a simple majority.
Military courts applying to Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank would also be able to impose the death penalty, with the defence minister having the right to submit an opinion to the judicial panel.
Read: Pakistan, seven Muslim countries denounce Israel’s restrictions on holy sites in Jerusalem
The ministers cautioned against “the increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices that entrench a system of apartheid and a rejectionist discourse that denies the inalienable rights and the very existence of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
They described the legislation as “a dangerous escalation, particularly given its discriminatory application against Palestinian prisoners,” adding that “such measures risk further exacerbating tensions and undermining regional stability.”
The statement also highlighted the plight of Palestinian detainees, expressing deep concern over the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention, warning of mounting risks amid credible reports of ongoing abuses, “including torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, starvation, and the denial of basic rights.” The ministers said these practices “reflect a broader pattern of violations against the Palestinian people.”
Reaffirming their opposition to Israel’s policies, the ministers condemned “Israel’s racially discriminatory, oppressive, and aggressive policies targeting Palestinians.” They called for urgent restraint, noting the “importance of ensuring accountability and strengthened international efforts to uphold stability and prevent further deterioration.”
