In a move that has drawn criticism from right-wing groups, Israeli police removed a 19-year-old man from a demonstration on Saturday night. After authorities found insufficient evidence to press charges, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed an administrative detention order, effectively imprisoning the young settler for several months without trial.
The detainee, a resident of Samaria in the West Bank, had already been subject to a restraining order two months ago. That order, signed by incoming Central Command Chief Avi Blot, barred him from entering the West Bank. This latest detention order is one of five such orders Gallant has issued against Jewish settlers in the past month alone.
This marks the 26th administrative detention order Gallant has signed against settlers since taking office less than two years ago—an unprecedented number for Jewish detainees in Israel's history.
Notably, neither the detainee nor his lawyer have yet received the official order, leaving its exact terms and signing date unclear. Attorney Daniel Shimshilashvili from the legal aid organization Honenu is representing the young man.
Shimshilashvili strongly criticized Gallant's decision: "We're seeing another settler thrown into detention without trial, all based on a flawed security doctrine that somehow believes arresting Jews will reduce Arab terrorism. The same security officials who failed to prevent the Simchat Torah massacre are now doubling down on violating Israeli citizens' basic rights."
He added, "The Defense Minister is rubber-stamping these administrative orders at an alarming rate. In this case, they've even failed to provide us with the detention order itself—a clear violation of legal procedure. I urge all security officials to cease these actions and refocus their efforts on combating those who truly seek to harm us."
