Death Penalty for Terrorists Law, 5786-2026
חוק עונש מוות למחבלים, תשפ"ו-2026
Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More
This English text was translated from the official Hebrew using a range of translation tools, and it undergoes ongoing checks and updates. It is not a certified translation.
Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.
The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.
This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.
Purpose of the Law§
The purpose of this Law is to prescribe the death penalty for terrorists who carried out murderous terrorist attacks, as a means of combating terrorism, inter alia for the purpose of protecting the State of Israel, its citizens and its residents, increasing deterrence, preventing bargaining attacks and retribution for the criminal acts of terrorists, and also to prescribe the arrangements for the carrying out of this penalty.
Definitions§
In this Law –
"the Area" – as defined in the Emergency Regulations (Judea and Samaria – Jurisdiction in Offences and Legal Assistance), 5727-1967, as their validity was extended and their text was amended by law, from time to time;
"Security Provisions Order" – Security Provisions Order [Consolidated Version] (Judea and Samaria) (No. 1651), 5770-2009.
Death Penalty in Judea and Samaria§
"(d) A resident of the area who intentionally causes the death of a person and the act is an act of terrorism as defined in the Counter-Terrorism Law, 5776-2016 (in this section – a terrorist), shall be liable to death and to that penalty alone; however, if the military court finds, for special reasons that shall be recorded, that special circumstances exist by reason of which it is appropriate to impose on the terrorist a sentence of life imprisonment, it may impose on the terrorist such a sentence and that sentence alone; in this subsection, 'resident of the area' means a person registered in the population registry of the area or a person residing in the area even if not so registered, excluding an Israeli citizen or a resident of Israel.
Authority to Impose the Death Penalty§
The authority of a court to impose the death penalty for offences under the Penal Law, 5737-1977, and under the Law Concerning the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 5710-1950, shall not be conditioned on the prosecution having requested that such a sentence be imposed or having supported the imposition thereof.
Carrying Out the Death Penalty§
Amendment of the Penal Law – No. 153§
In the Penal Law, 5737-1977, in section 301a, after subsection (b) the following shall be inserted:
"(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), a person who intentionally causes the death of another with the aim of negating the existence of the State of Israel, in the circumstances referred to in subsection (a)(10), shall be liable to death or life imprisonment, and to one of those penalties alone.".
Amendment of the Prison Ordinance – No. 72§
[An indirect amendment was made to the Prison Ordinance [New Version], 5732-1971]
Amendment of the Government Law – No. 15§
In the Government Law, 5761-2001, in section 8b(a1), at the end the following shall come: "or a person convicted of an offence punishable by death, under any law, or who is suspected or accused of such an offence".
Amendment of the Offence Victims Rights Law – No. 22§
In the Offence Victims Rights Law, 5761-2001 –
| "10. | The date of the carrying out of a sentence of a person sentenced to death | Israel Prison Service". |
|---|
Need to cite this law in a foreign court?
Eli Shimony Israeli Attorneys-at-Law provides certified Expert Legal Opinions on Israeli law within 24–48 hours, accepted by courts worldwide.
Contact Us →חוק עונש מוות למחבלים, תשפ"ו-2026
death penalty terrorists
death penalty terror law
terrorist death penalty
capital punishment terrorists
execution terrorism law
5786-2026
chok onesh muerte mechablim
mechablim death penalty
terror capital punishment
terrorist execution law