On April 2, 2026, Pakistan, along with seven other Muslim countries, publicly condemned Israel’s recent enactment of a law imposing the death penalty on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. In a unified statement, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar expressed their strong disapproval of the legislation, describing it as part of increasingly discriminatory Israeli practices against Palestinians.
The statement highlighted concerns over the law passed by Israel’s parliament, which mandates the death penalty as a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks. The law stipulates that sentences must be delivered within 90 days, with no right to clemency, and allows for a simple majority decision rather than unanimity. The defence minister is also empowered to submit opinions to the judicial panel in these cases.
The ministers warned that this legislation represents a dangerous escalation and poses a risk to regional stability. They emphasized the discriminatory nature of the law, particularly its application against Palestinian prisoners, and cautioned that such measures could exacerbate tensions.
The joint statement also addressed the conditions of Palestinian detainees, expressing deep concern over reports of ongoing abuses, including torture and inhumane treatment. The ministers reaffirmed their opposition to Israel’s policies, calling for international accountability and efforts to uphold stability and prevent further deterioration.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, April 2, 2026
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