United Nations human rights experts have sharply criticized a newly enacted Israeli law that permits sentencing children as young as 12 to life imprisonment. They argue that the legislation directly contravenes the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a treaty Israel has been a party to since 1991. The law targets minors accused of serious offenses classified as terrorism, sparking widespread concern about potential human rights violations.
The experts also drew attention to a second law passed around the same time, which allows Israeli authorities to withhold financial support intended for children's welfare. Both measures, introduced in November 2024, come amid rising regional tensions and are expected to disproportionately affect Palestinian children living under occupation.
Under existing Israeli military regulations, Palestinian minors in the occupied West Bank can already be detained starting at age 12. The new law takes this a step further, enabling courts to impose life sentences for crimes like murder or attempted murder if deemed terrorism-related.
UN human rights officials have called for an urgent review and repeal of these laws, emphasizing that sentencing children to life imprisonment violates both international law and fundamental human rights. They urged the international community to hold Israel accountable and advocate for the protection of children's rights in all circumstances.
This illegal shift occurs against a backdrop of continued conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region, where children are among the most vulnerable. The experts called for immediate global action to defend the rights of Palestinian children and promote long-term peace and justice.
