Palestinian Embassy Urges Sanctions on Israel Over New Death Penalty Law

Accra: The Palestinian Embassy in Ghana has urged the international community to impose sanctions and legal action against Israel over a new law permitting the death penalty for some Palestinian detainees. Mr. Ahmed Abu Dalfa, Charge d'Affaires of the Palestinian Embassy, said the legislation violated international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and warned that continued global inaction was emboldening further abuses. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Dalfa made the remarks at a press conference in Accra, where he called for immediate diplomatic and political pressure on Israel to repeal the law and ensure protection for Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Knesset, on March 30, 2026, passed the 'Death Penalty for Terrorists Law,' which authorizes capital punishment for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis in acts deemed 'nationalistic' or 'terrorism-related.' Mr. Dalfa described the law as apartheid, saying it entrenched systematic racial discrimination and institutionalized inequality. He said human rights organizations had documented killings, starvation, sexual abuse, enforced disappearance, withholding bodies of deceased persons, and denial of fundamental rights. 'A law that prescribes death for one group while exempts another for the same act is not a law of justice but a legal instrument for domination and segregation,' he said. Mr. Dalfa also highlighted that despite a ceasefire, attacks continued in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, with deteriorating conditions for more than 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, including children and women. 'Palestinians are tired, lack the most basic standards of independence and fairness as repeatedly affirmed by United Nations bodies and international human rights organizations,' he said. Mr. Dalfa reiterated the call for sanctions and urged recourse to international judicial bodies to ensure accountability. The press conference was attended by Mr. Yamil Martinez, Deputy Ambassador of the Cuban Embassy in Ghana, and Mr. Ahmed Rami Bo umziza, Deputy Head of Mission of the Algerian Embassy in Ghana.