Israel faces potential suspension from its observer role in a major European human rights body if controversial death penalty legislation advances, according to senior officials familiar with the matter.

The warning comes as Israeli lawmakers consider expanding capital punishment laws, a move that could put the country at odds with the Council of Europe's strict opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances. Israel currently holds observer status in the Strasbourg-based organization, which counts 46 member states.

Officials have cautioned that proceeding with the legislation would likely trigger immediate review of Israel's standing within the Council of Europe, which maintains an absolute prohibition on capital punishment as a fundamental principle. The organization has previously suspended or revoked the status of countries that violate its core human rights standards.

The proposed legislation would represent a significant shift in Israeli law, where the death penalty technically exists but has only been carried out once in the nation's history - in the case of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962. Military courts retain the authority to impose capital punishment in extraordinary cases, though this power has remained largely dormant for decades.

Supporters of the expanded death penalty argue it would serve as a deterrent against terrorism and provide justice for victims' families. Critics, however, contend it would undermine Israel's democratic values and international standing, while questioning its effectiveness as either a deterrent or a just form of punishment.

The Council of Europe, established in 1949 to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across the continent, granted Israel observer status in 1957. While observers cannot vote on resolutions, the status provides diplomatic benefits and facilitates cooperation on various human rights initiatives.

The potential diplomatic fallout adds another dimension to an already contentious domestic debate about capital punishment in Israel, where questions of security, justice, and international relations frequently intersect. Any decision to advance the legislation would likely face intense scrutiny both domestically and from the international community.