EU opposes Israel's 'terrorist' death penalty bill

By Ata Ufuk Seker

BRUSSELS (AA) – The European Union's position on death penalty is universal and the bloc works actively to suppress it everywhere in all circumstances, EU spokesman said Thursday.

Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela's remarks came in response to a question posed by Anadolu Agency's Brussels correspondent at a press briefing in the Belgian capital.

"European Union is opposed to death penalty under all circumstances and cases with no exception," Gordejuela said.

The Knesset (Israel's parliament) on Wednesday approved a preliminary reading of a controversial bill that would allow the Israeli authorities to impose the death penalty against Palestinians involved in "operations against Israeli targets".

Proposed by the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party, the bill's first reading was approved by a vote of 52 to 49. A second and third reading, however, must be approved before it becomes law.