Israel
Israel orders release of settlers under administrative detention in the West Bank
The Shin Bet objected to the decision made by the defense minister
January 18, 2025 18:52
By, Jewish News Syndicate
1 min read
The Shin Bet objected to the decision made by the defense minister
January 18, 2025 18:52ByJC Reporter, Jewish News Syndicate
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday the release from administration detention of West Bank settlers accused of violence against Palestinians.
“In light of the expected release of terrorists from Judea and Samaria as part of the hostage release deal, I have decided to release the settlers held in administrative detention,” Katz said in a statement.
The settler’s release will “convey a clear message of strengthening and encouraging the settlements, which are at the forefront of the struggle against Palestinian terrorism and face growing security challenges,” the statement continued.
“It is better for the families of Jewish settlers to be happy than the families of released terrorists,” Katz said.
The Yesha Council, an umbrella organization for communities in the West Bank, praised the “important and just” decision. “There was no need to release despicable terrorists to release the Jewish detainees, but it was a good deed by Defense Minister Katz who corrected the injustice.”
The council added that Katz “expressed a commitment to values of justice and equality, and strengthened the feeling of security and trust of the settler community, who stand in the forefront of the security challenges [of the State of Israel].”
The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) did not support the decision and was not consulted before Katz made the announcement.
In November, the minister announced that he had decided to end the use of administrative detention orders against Israeli citizens, in a significant change for law enforcement in West Bank.
Israel uses administrative detention as a means to incarcerate suspected terrorists without charges because they pose an imminent security risk. The Emergency Powers (Detention) Law, 5739-1979, authorises the defense minister to detain suspects with administrative orders for up to six months.
In the West Bank, Israeli law authorises commanders of the Israel Defense Forces to issue administrative detention orders for persons suspected of terrorism.
In either case, the detainee must be brought in front of a judge within 48 hours of arrest, to determine whether the arrest is justified for national security reasons.
This measure is mostly used against Palestinians, but it has been used with more regularity in recent years against Jews living in the West Bank, suspected of committing acts of terrorism against Palestinians.