Spain has condemned a law passed by the Israeli parliament that introduces the death penalty in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, calling it "draconian" and discriminatory, the Spanish foreign ministry said in a statement on March 31.

Madrid said the law "enshrines legal inequality between people on an issue that directly affects the fundamental right to life" and described the discrimination against the Palestinian population as being "of the utmost gravity."

The Spanish government said the legislation expands the number of offences punishable by death and removes basic guarantees of due process.

Spain also objected to what it called the "illegal exercise of Israeli jurisdiction" in occupied Palestinian territory, describing the application of capital punishment there as "particularly serious."

"Spain reiterates its firm rejection of the death penalty in all cases and circumstances, considering it a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that has no proven deterrent effect and causes irreparable harm in the event of a miscarriage of justice," the statement said.

The condemnation adds to growing friction between Madrid and the Israeli government. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has emerged as one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israeli military operations, having publicly refused US access to two Spanish military bases for strikes on Iran and describing the war as illegal.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed frustration at that decision, with some in Washington calling for sanctions against Spain.

Spain recognised the State of Palestine in May 2024 alongside Ireland and Norway, a move that drew sharp criticism from Israel at the time.