PA declares honor killings to be murder

Long overdue:

[PA] ministers voted to alter the penal code on "family honor" killings, upgrading the crime to murder.

"No one can take the law into his own hands," the cabinet said, adding that they agreed to the change "to ensure that the principles of equality and justice are in line with the Palestinian Basic Law, the Declaration of Independence, and the Palestinian Authority's commitment to national conventions and international treaties."

I find it interesting that this news item was buried inside a completely different story, and that the PA does not appear to want to make a big deal out if this, perhaps in fear of traditionalist reaction. Based on the wording, it might be that they are making this law more for Western consumption than for any real moral reasons.

We will see if it gets implemented.