by ANTHONY ROGERS-WRIGHT
The same caucus that celebrated the Emmett Till Antilynching Act refuses to condemn Israel’s new death penalty for Palestinians.
“The Black Caucus has never – and should never – recover any vestige of dignity after putting the Democratic Party ahead of hundreds of thousands of poor and exiled Black people.” – Glen Ford
Last month, the zionist ethnostate of Israel, once again, made its wanton disregard for the humanity and people(s)-centered human rights (PCHRs) of Palestinian people known to the entire world with passage of a new law mandating the death penalty of Palestinians of the Occupied West Bank convicted of carrying out “deadly terror attacks.” By a vote of 62-47, the Israeli Knesset approved the new measure and further stipulated that the executions of Palestinians would be carried out by hanging as the default method of punishment. Passage of the new edict was celebrated by Israel’s right wing National Security Minister and zionist zealot, Itamar Ben Gvir, who not only celebrated by drinking champagne on the Knesset floor, but also by wearing a pin in the shape of a noose.
Israel National Security Minister, Itama Ben Gvir. Credit: AP Press
Concerns with the racist nature of Israel’s new law, which would only apply to Palestinians, were raised in a joint statement released by the governments of Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, which, in part, stated, “We are particularly worried about the de facto discriminatory character of the bill. The adoption of this bill would risk undermining Israel’s commitments with regards to democratic principles.” Additionally, deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, Adam Coggle, stated, “Israeli officials argue that imposing the death penalty is about security, but in reality, it entrenches discrimination and a two-tiered system of justice, both hallmarks of apartheid.” Coggle added, “The death penalty is irreversible and cruel. Combined with its severe restrictions on appeals and its 90-day execution timeline, this bill aims to kill Palestinian detainees faster and with less scrutiny.” And the Israel-based human rights group, B’Tselem, highlighted the fact that Palestinians are tried in military courts, unlike Israeli citizens, including radical Israeli settlers who have been increasingly carrying out terrorist attacks in the Occupied West Bank, who are tried in civilian courts, Palestinians are tried in military courts. This is a salient distinction as military trials of Palestinians have a, 96% conviction rate, based largely on “confessions” extracted under duress and torture during interrogations.”
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