Tel Aviv, March 31 -- Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial bill mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in "acts of terror".
Under the law, death by hanging will be the default sentence for West Bank residents found guilty of deadly terrorist acts in military courts. Judges may impose life imprisonment only under vaguely defined "special circumstances," The Times of Israel reported.
As per law, executions are to be carried out within 90 days of sentencing, with a possible extension of up to 180 days.
The bill was approved on Monday in the 120-seat Knesset with 62 voted in favour, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 48 against it, with one abstention.
The le...