A decision by Israel to reintroduce the death penalty has been described as “horrifying” and “despicable” by Tánaiste Simon Harris. On Monday evening, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, voted to approve the death penalty by hanging for Palestinians convicted of murder or nationalist offences against Israelis. “The right to life is a fundamental human right and Ireland is consistently and strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances,” she said. Speaking on Tuesday morning at the Central Bank in Dublin, the Tánaiste also condemned the action taken by the Israeli government. “Ireland doesn't support the death penalty.

Source: Irish Examiner March 31, 2026 18:00 UTC