– March 2026 – The Green Olive Collective strongly condemns the recent approval by the Israeli Knesset of legislation enabling the execution of Palestinian prisoners.

This decision marks a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, not only in its legal implications but in what it represents: the normalization of state-sanctioned killing under the guise of law. It stands in direct violation of international legal standards, including the fundamental principles of human rights and the protections afforded to detainees under international humanitarian law.

This law does not exist in isolation. It emerges within a broader reality where Palestinians, particularly prisoners, have long been subjected to systemic violence, prolonged detention, denial of due process, and in many documented cases, torture and medical neglect.

Crucially, this law is neither neutral nor equally applied. It is inherently discriminatory in both intent and implementation, designed to target Palestinian prisoners within a legal system that already operates with unequal standards.

Palestinians in Israeli custody are frequently tried in military courts with near-total conviction rates, while Israeli settlers are subject to civilian legal systems with vastly different protections and outcomes. In such a context, the introduction of the death penalty is not a measure of justice, but an escalation of an already unequal system.

Legalizing execution under these conditions does not create justice; it entrenches inequality and further legitimizes a system of selective punishment.

At a time when the world claims to uphold human rights and dignity, the silence surrounding such legislation is alarming.

We call on our partners, members, and the international community to move beyond statements and take meaningful action, holding those responsible accountable and rejecting the normalization of execution as policy.

We remain committed to supporting Palestinian communities, amplifying their voices, and challenging systems of oppression through sustained advocacy, education, responsible tourism, and active engagement with human rights defenders on the ground.