Statement by Hamas in relation to Israel’s approval of the death penalty against Al-Aqsa Flood Battle prisoners

Hamas released a statement in relation to the ‘racist legislation’ which imposes the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners – particularly those whom Israel accused of participating in the Al-Aqsa Flood battle – represents a dangerous escalation and a new crime added to Israel’s long record of war crimes and systematic violations against Palestinian people.

“What this legislation includes is exceptional powers granted to the military courts, such as allowing to circumvent the rules of procedure and evidence, setting arrangements for executing the death sentences, reveals the revenge based and racist nature of this regime, they said.

Hamas said Israel’s actions also highlighted the Israel’s endeavour to legitimise the killing of Palestinian prisoners and turning the courts into a means of revenge and punishment far from any standards of justice or fair trials.

“This legislation also reflects the occupation’s attempts to evade any path for future prisoner exchange deals by explicitly excluding the Al-Aqsa Flood prisoners from any potential deals, in a stark violation of international humanitarian norms.”

The statement warned of serious repercussions for ‘this racist law’ and affirm that the ‘policy of terror and fascist legislation will not break the will of our people or stop their legitimate struggle for their full national rights.’

“We call upon the UN, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Human Rights Council, and all international rights and humanitarian groups to assume their legal and moral responsibilities, to act urgently and stop and annul this criminal legislation, to hold the occupations leaders accountable for their ongoing crimes against the Palestinian prisoners, and to provide them with international protection as freedom fighters resisting a racist colonial occupation condemned by international laws and conventions.”

The statement stressed that the international community’s silence regarding such racist policies only ’emboldens the occupation’s government to continue its crimes and violations.’