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Spain's PM Labels Israel's Death Penalty Law 'step Towards Apartheid'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 31, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 31, 2026
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Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez denounces Israel’s new law permitting the death penalty for Palestinians convicted in military courts as discriminatory and ‘a step towards apartheid,’ amid growing international alarm and historical context underlining Israel’s long-standing rare use of capital punishment.
Spain's PM labels Israel's death penalty law 'step towards apartheid'
Spain Condemns Israel's New Death Penalty Law
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Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Statement
MADRID, March 31 (Reuters) - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned as a "step towards apartheid" Monday's approval by the Israeli parliament of a law that would impose death sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks by military courts.
"It is an asymmetrical measure that would not apply to Israelis committing the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. It's another step towards apartheid. The world cannot stay silent," Sanchez, one of the most vocal supporters of Palestinians among Western leaders, wrote on X on Tuesday.
Historical Context of Apartheid
Apartheid was the system of racial segregation enforced by South Africa's white minority governments in the second half of last century.
Spain-Israel Diplomatic Tensions
Spain has been embroiled in a diplomatic standoff with Israel since Madrid's sharp criticism of the Israeli government during the 2023-25 Gaza war, which it labelled as genocide. Israel's officials have called Spain's stance antisemitic on several occasions.
Recent Developments in Diplomatic Relations
The rift worsened this month after Spain's opposition to the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, leading Madrid to permanently withdraw its ambassador to Israel on March 11.
Details of the Israeli Law
On Monday, Israel's parliament passed the law 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.
Criticism and Implications
Critics of the new Israeli law say that its language effectively confines those Israelis who can be sentenced to death to members of the country's 20% Arab minority, many of whom identify as Palestinian, and not to Jewish citizens.
International Reaction
Earlier, the European Commission said Israel's law was 'very concerning' and was "a clear step backwards" in terms of its commitment to democratic principles.
Background on Death Penalty in Israel
Israel abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954. The only person executed in Israel after a civilian trial was Adolf Eichmann, an architect of the Nazi Holocaust, in 1962.
(Reporting by Madrid Bureau, writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Key Takeaways
- •Spain’s PM calls Israeli parliament’s death‑penalty law for Palestinians asymmetrical and apartheid‑like.
- •International bodies including EU, PACE, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty strongly condemn the law as discriminatory and a rollback on democratic norms.
- •Historically, Israel abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954 and has executed only one person via civilian trial—Adolf Eichmann in 1962, underscoring the new law’s gravity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spain's PM labels Israel's death penalty law 'step towards apartheid'
1What did Spain's Prime Minister say about Israel's death penalty law?
Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez labeled Israel's new death penalty law for Palestinians as a 'step towards apartheid' and criticized its asymmetrical application.
2What does the new Israeli law impose?
The Israeli law makes death by hanging the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks.
3How has the European Commission responded to Israel's law?
The European Commission called the law 'very concerning' and said it is a step backwards in terms of Israel's commitment to democratic principles.
4Why are Spain and Israel in a diplomatic standoff?
Spain and Israel are in a diplomatic standoff due to Spain's sharp criticism of Israel during the Gaza war and recent opposition to U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran.
5When was the death penalty last used in Israel?
Israel abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954; the only execution after a civilian trial was of Adolf Eichmann in 1962.
