Arab League warns of the occupation's move to execute Palestinian prisoners: a war crime requiring international accountability
The Arab League warned on Wednesday of the grave danger posed by the Israeli occupation authorities’ efforts to prepare a facility for carrying out death sentences against Palestinian prisoners in detention centers, describing the advancement of this step as a war crime that warrants international accountability.
In a statement, the Arab League expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the announcement by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the occupation government regarding the start of construction of a dedicated facility for executing death sentences, including the preparation of a wing for those sentenced to death and viewing rooms for families of those the occupation refers to as “victims.”
The League emphasized that this step constitutes a serious and unprecedented escalation in the violation of the rights of Palestinian prisoners and a blatant breach of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and its additional protocols, as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It stated that the Israeli occupation’s approval of the so-called “Death Penalty for Terrorists Law” in March 2026, along with the initiation of infrastructure preparation for its implementation, falls within a systematic policy targeting the rights of the Palestinian people and their cause.
The Arab League held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for any consequences stemming from these policies, warning that proceeding with the execution of such sentences would constitute a war crime requiring international accountability.
It called on the international community, foremost among them the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, and the International Criminal Court, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities and take immediate and decisive measures to halt these practices, impose international protection on Palestinian prisoners, and hold Israeli occupation officials accountable for these violations.
The Arab League reaffirmed its steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to freedom and dignity, and an end to the occupation, renewing its call to member states and the international community to take urgent action to prevent a new humanitarian and legal catastrophe.
