CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Cairo-based Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Tuesday strongly condemned a recently approved Israeli bill allowing the "execution of Palestinian prisoners," warning that it violates fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Aboul-Gheit said the law undermines the requirements of justice and reflects "flagrant discrimination against Palestinians," the organization said in a statement.
He added that the measure is part of Israeli efforts to besiege the Palestinian presence, erode what remains of Palestinians' human rights, and pave the way for the annexation of the West Bank.
Israel's parliament on Monday approved a bill making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of "terrorism," drawing widespread international criticism.
Proposed by Israel's far-right coalition government, the law mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis with intent to harm the state. It does not apply to Israelis who kill Palestinians. ■
