RAMALLAH, March 31, 2026 (WAFA) – Al-Azhar, the highest Sunni Islamic institution in Egypt, expressed deep concern on Tuesday at the international legal system's failure to address Israel's passage of a law authorizing the execution of Palestinian prisoners.

This came in a statement issued the day after the Israeli Knesset passed the law authorizing the execution of Palestinian prisoners by a vote of 62 to 48, with one abstention, amidst jubilation from right-wing parties.

Al-Azhar said that it "deeply regrets and expresses its profound dismay at the collapse of the international legal system and its inability to confront the Israeli occupation's passage of a bill to implement the death penalty against Palestinian prisoners and detainees."

It affirmed that "this crime once again reveals the bloody face of this occupation, which is not content with its ongoing crimes but seeks to legalize its criminality and killing, granting it a false and blatant legal cover."

Al-Azhar emphasized its "categorical rejection of all measures or decisions issued by the occupation to legitimize the killing of Palestinians."

It asserted that "this decision is nothing but a desperate attempt by the occupation to legitimize killing, which does not alter its true nature; it reflects a state of barbarity and moral depravity, and a violation of all human values."

Al-Azhar called upon the international community and human rights organizations to "assume their moral and legal responsibilities regarding these actions that blatantly disregard international law and norms."

It urged immediate action to halt the implementation of the law, hold those responsible accountable, and protect civilian lives.

Y.S