Israeli death penalty law targeting Palestinians sparks global outcry as far right celebrates

Far-right supporters of a controversial Israeli death penalty law were popping champagne corks as it cleared the Knesset on Monday night, but its passage has sparked a global chorus of condemnation.

TEL AVIV — Far-right supporters of a controversial Israeli death penalty law were popping champagne corks as it cleared the Knesset on Monday night, but its passage has sparked a global chorus of condemnation from allies and international human rights groups.

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The new law effectively makes death by hanging the default punishment for murderers who kill “with the intent to deny the existence of the State of Israel” — language that targets Palestinian militants but amounts to a de facto exclusion of Israelis who kill Palestinians.

Because the law would accelerate lethal punishments for Palestinians and is almost impossible to apply to Israeli murderers, human rights groups say it’s likely to inspire far more outrage and violence than it prevents.