Only Recommendations Without Sanctions, the European Union Responds to Israel's Death Penalty Law Targeting Palestinian Residents

JAKARTA - The European Union (EU) has once again expressed its concern over the Israeli government's policy of recently passing a law (law) on the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in terror cases by excluding if the suspect is an Israeli Jew.

Not only concern, the European Union encourages its allies in the Middle East to review the controversial law that was pushed by members of parliament from the Jewish Power, a right-wing extremist party led by the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

"This is a clear step backwards," European Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni said in a statement Tuesday, March 31, quoted by Al Jazeera.

However, the new law, which many parties consider flawed, violates international law, and is racist in targeting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, has not resulted in sanctions by the European Union.

"We call on Israel to abide by its previous principled positions, its obligations under international law, and its commitment to the principles of democracy," El Anouni said.