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Indonesia condemns Israel’s death penalty law for Palestinian prisoner

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia strongly condemned the decision of the Israeli Knesset to approve the legislation that facilitated the imposition of the death penalty on Palestinians they detained.According to Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, the policy is unacceptable and “undermines the sense of justice and universal humanitarian values.””The law is a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws,” the Foreign Ministry stated on its social media, as observed here on Wednesday.Indonesia viewed the law as violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that guarantee the right to life and the right to a fair trial.The Indonesian government urged the Zionist regime in Israel to immediately revoke the legislation and cease all actions that contravene international laws, as well as ensure the protection of fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including detainees.”Indonesia also calls on the international community, in particular the United Nations, to take firm measures to ensure accountability and protection for the Palestinian people,” the Foreign Ministry added.Indonesia also reiterated its full support for the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve their independence with East Jerusalem as its capital.The Knesset, Israel's legislative assembly, on Monday passed a law making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of lethal attacks against Israelis.The death penalty can be imposed even without requiring a prosecutor’s request and without unanimous judicial agreement.It has drawn criticism for its potential discriminatory application, as it would likely only target Palestinians and not Jewish perpetrators of similar acts.Meanwhile, over 9,300 Palestinians, including 350 children and 66 women, are currently held in Israeli jails, according to prisoners’ rights organizations and the Israeli Prison Service.Reports indicate they suffer from torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which has led to dozens of deaths.