Israel’s defence minister said on Friday he is immediately freeing Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank who are being held in so-called “administrative detention.”
The warrants issued for all of them will be lifted, Defence Minister Israel Katz said. The measure does not apply to Palestinians, who are vastly more affected by the controversial practice.
Katz said he was freeing the settlers because of the ceasefire and hostage deal reached with Hamas militants in Gaza. That agreement also foresees the release of hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli jails, most of whom will return to the West Bank – but the ceasefire has yet to be formally approved by the Israeli government or put into effect.
Katz said Jewish settlers are on the “front line in the fight against Palestinian terrorism,” and so his decision to free them is meant to send “a clear message of strength and encouragement.”
He did not mention the increasing settler violence against Palestinian residents of the West Bank.
Administrative detention involves holding suspects for six months or even longer. This is the case if the people concerned are linked to a crime, for example, but there is not enough evidence to bring charges or go to trial.
Rights groups say detainees are held on the presumption that they could commit an offence at some point in the future, and that children and activists can languish behind bars for long periods.
Katz had already decided at the end of November 2024 to abolish the practice for Israeli settlers, but not for Palestinians. Administrative detention is a feature of the West Bank, but does not apply inside Israel.
Internationally, most states view Israeli settlements as illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace in the region.
In a surprising move, Israeli Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, has announced that he will be releasing a group of Israeli settlers who were being held in administrative detention. This decision comes after months of pressure from right-wing politicians and settler groups who have been advocating for the release of the detainees.
The settlers, who were detained for their involvement in violent attacks against Palestinians, were originally held under Israel’s controversial administrative detention policy, which allows for indefinite detention without trial. Many human rights organizations and international bodies have criticized this policy as a violation of due process and human rights.
Gantz’s decision to release the settlers has sparked controversy and debate within Israel, with some praising it as a step towards reconciliation and others condemning it as a capitulation to settler pressure. The Defence Minister has defended his decision, stating that it is in the best interest of Israel’s security and stability.
It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and whether it will lead to further tensions or a potential breakthrough in peace negotiations. Only time will tell.
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