Unlawful

What the Israeli Parliament did is unlawful. They approved the death penalty exclusively for Palestinians. That is equivalent to Spain approving the death penalty only for foreigners, only for Buddhists, or only for people from Andalusia. It is a violation of International Law. It is an example of a law that, under any broader frame of reference, is unlawful — but above all, it is immoral.

Part of Israeli society appears to have been deeply affected by decades of conflict and trauma — shaped by narratives of destruction and dehumanization that feed hubris and hatred. Some use the name of God to justify what can only be described as evil. In doing so, they shame the memory of their own ancestors — people who suffered persecution — by becoming the persecutors. They kill brothers and sisters, the elderly, children, pregnant women. They kill those who are not Palestinian simply for helping Palestinians. They act with apparent impunity.

How can people carry out acts of such cruelty while believing they are doing good? It suggests a deep disconnection from conscience and moral feeling. And why do I believe I am right to say this? Because I hold that every being capable of moral choice is a brother — and every brother must be treated as an equal.