German politicians sharply condemned the Israeli Knesset’s decision to reintroduce the death penalty, noting that it would be applied differently across Israel and the occupied territories.
SPD General‑Secretary Tim Klüssendorf called the move “unacceptable” saying that a civilized legal state has no place for capital punishment. “Anyone who defends human dignity and the rule of law must not accept the death penalty – not even against terrorists” he told the “Tagesspiegel”.
Foreign‑policy spokesperson for the SPD faction, Adis Ahmetovic, added that the decision contradicts fundamental principles of humanity, democratic rule of law, and international law. He highlighted the targeted expansion against Palestinians as especially problematic.
Jürgen Hardt, the CDU’s foreign‑policy spokesman, told the “Tagesspiegel” that the death penalty would not make Israel safer. He expressed deep concern over the bill’s wording, warning that its discriminatory character could intensify international criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
Opposition voices also delivered harsh criticism. Green Party politician Max Lucks warned that the right‑wing majority in the Knesset, by introducing the death penalty for Palestinians, would severely damage EU‑Israeli relations and called the decision a “dehumanizing” choice. Left Party chairman Jan van Aken voiced fears for Israel’s democracy, arguing that even heinous crimes do not justify capital punishment and should not lead to inhumanity.