Understanding Israel’s Death Penalty for Arabs Only Bill

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, NIF gathered with members of the Progressive Israel Network for an online event to discuss the concerning developments around a new law to legalize the death penalty making its way through the Israeli Knesset. The call featured a line up of influential Israeli and American voices who have been tracking the bill closely, including Benzi Sykora, a front-line lobbyist and Policy Director at NIF grantee, Zulat; Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; and NIF’s own Director in Israel, Shira Ben Sasson-Furstenberg, a veteran leader of Israel’s civil society. Hadar Susskind, the CEO of New Jewish Narrative, moderated the call. Thank you to our Progressive Israel Network Co-Sponsors: J Street, T’ruah, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for a Progressive Israel, ALEPH, Smol Emuni USA, Rabbis for Human Rights, and L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty