Defense Minister Israel Katz said today (Friday) that he is releasing all Jewish settlers held by administrative detention in light of the expected freeing of hundreds of terrorists in the hostage deal.
In his statement, Katz said that "Against the backdrop of the expected release of terrorists to Judea and Samaria as part of the hostage release deal, I have decided to release the settlers held in administrative detention and to send a clear message of strengthening and encouraging settlement, which stands at the forefront of the struggle against Palestinian terrorism and increasing security challenges. It's better that Jewish settler families rejoice rather than families of released terrorists."
Ynet reporter Yoav Zitun reports that the Shin Bet were taken by surprise by this decision, stating that "the decision was taken without receiving the attitude of the Shin Bet regarding its security ramifications."
In addition to administrative detention, a number of settlers have been subject to sanction by the US Treasury and State Departments on the grounds of fomenting violence in Judea and Samaria.
This includes the now suspended Tzav Tesha movement, which protested and sometimes vandalized trucks bringing in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, based on the slogan "nothing comes in until the hostages go out." A number of settlers considered responsible for or related to violent attacks against Palestinians were also included in the sanctioned list.
Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu's promise to speak with the Biden administration on these sanctions, he was unable to get the American government to lift any of them, which froze their bank accounts and assets.
Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, has stated that he intends to life the sanctions after he is approved by the Senate, and he openly and repeatedly expressed his unequivocal support for Israel against Hamas.
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