Protests in Nicosia follow Israeli death penalty legislation

On 8 April 2026, the advocacy group United for Palestine organized a demonstration outside the Israeli embassy in Nicosia to protest a death penalty law passed by the Israeli Knesset on 30 March 2026. The legislation, tabled by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, mandates the death penalty for those convicted of terrorism. The advocacy group claims the law effectively targets Palestinians while exempting Israeli Jewish perpetrators, citing a specific amendment concerning the intent to negate the existence of Israel. On 9 April, a press conference was held at the Palestinian Embassy in Nicosia featuring Palestinian Ambassador Abdallah Attari, former minister Shaddad Attili, Professor Nikos Trimikliniotis, and MP Giorgos Koukoumas. Speakers characterized the law as discriminatory and a violation of international human rights and humanitarian standards. Proponents of the legislation view it as a security measure, while critics argue it exacerbates existing tensions in the West Bank and Gaza. The event participants called for international intervention to challenge the new legal framework. The legal analysis provided by Trimikliniotis asserts that the law contradicts fundamental international legal principles.