politics
April 17, 2026
South African ex-foreign minister brands Israel’s death penalty bill an ‘apartheid-style’ law
Former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has condemned an Israeli death penalty bill targeting Palestinians, comparing it to apartheid-era laws
TL;DR
- Former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has condemned Israel's proposed death penalty bill targeting Palestinians.
- Pandor stated the bill is reminiscent of legal practices associated with apartheid and colonial rule.
- The bill seeks to mandate the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of attacks resulting in Israeli deaths.
- Critics, including the UN human rights chief, describe the law as discriminatory and potentially a war crime.
- The legislation passed its third and final reading in the Knesset, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting in favor.
- Concerns raised include mandatory sentencing, selective application to Palestinians, and potential violation of international law.
- Pandor previously spearheaded South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
- The article also references South Africa's lawsuit at the ICJ regarding alleged violations of the Genocide Convention in Gaza.
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