The German Foreign Office still hopes that the joint appeal against Israel’s plans to expand the use of the death penalty will bear fruit.
The ministry conveyed its position in internal government discussions, a spokesperson told the German news agency on Monday. “Germany rejects the death penalty under all circumstances” she said. She did not want to speculate about the consequences Israel might face if it adopted the law. “Our aim is to influence this decision. We are trying to do so, but the ultimate choice lies outside our hands”. The position is described as very fundamental.
Germany’s foreign minister, together with his counterparts from France, Italy and the United Kingdom, called on Israeli lawmakers in the Knesset and on the government to drop the proposals. They expressed particular concern about the “factually discriminatory character of the draft bill” and warned that its passage could jeopardise Israel’s commitment to democratic principles.
The law, which could become effective as early as next week, would apply to crimes classified as terrorist offences in which a person is intentionally killed. It explicitly exempts Israeli citizens-whether soldiers or settlers-from the death penalty in cases involving the West Bank.
