Miller: Canceling administrative detention for Israelis is a ‘setback’

The United States on Monday condemned Defense Minister Israel Katz’s decision to no longer use administrative detention against Israeli extremists in the West Bank, saying the practice was one of the few tools used by Jerusalem to repress the violence committed by supporters of the pro-settlement movement.

Administrative detention allows suspects to be incarcerated without formal indictment.

Asked about the decision during a press briefing, Miller said it was “a setback for one of the rare tools that was, in fact, used by the Israeli government to curb this type of violence.” ‘illegal activity’.

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Comments that appear to be a blow to the efforts of the Israeli police, who have made only a handful of arrests linked to the phenomenon of violence committed by Jewish extremists over the past twelve months – and even though attacks committed by supporters of the pro-settlement movement, attacks which targeted Palestinians, have been regular in the West Bank. The practice of administrative detention is employed by the Shin Bet, but it requires obtaining authorization from the Minister of Defense.

Miller said the Biden administration is “extremely concerned” about increasing violence by Jewish extremists in the West Bank, including attacks targeting Palestinian civilians, forced displacement of Palestinian communities, and deliberate destruction of homes and property. agricultural operations.

“We have repeatedly called on the Israeli government to take additional steps to deter violence by extremist settler residents, also urging it to hold those responsible for such acts accountable. As you have seen with the steps we have taken over the past twelve months, we are also determined to pursue our own initiatives,” he said, referring to the sanctions the United States has imposed on around twenty people and other entities since the start of the year. Miller acknowledged that these sanctions could be reversed by the next administration.

Katz announced his decision on Friday – it immediately led to accusations of discrimination as the practice of administrative detention will still apply against thousands of Palestinians and some Israeli Arabs. Only seven Jewish extremists were in administrative detention when Katz made his announcement.

Administrative detention allows an individual to be detained without indictment or other form of trial for a period of up to six months. This incarceration can be renewed indefinitely, and it authorizes military prosecutors to prevent suspects from having access to evidence that has been held against them. It is used when security forces believe that an individual poses a clear danger but there is insufficient evidence to formally charge them.

The N12 news channel reported Friday that the Shin Bet had warned the political hierarchy that the decision that was made by Katz risked harming efforts to combat violent supporters of the pro-settlement movement.

The channel said it would make it more difficult for Israel to urge European countries not to comply with international courts as the ruling effectively established that Jewish residents would be treated differently. and Arabs from areas under Israeli authority in the West Bank.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed the Biden administration’s concern about the decision in a phone call with Katz on Saturday, a US official told the Times of Israel.

Katz’s decision to end the practice of detention without further trial for Jews only, while maintaining the practice against Palestinians and some Israeli Arabs, raises significant security concerns. discrimination, the U.S. official said.

“In a reality where Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria are the subject of serious Palestinian terrorist threats and where unjustified international sanctions are taken against supporters of the pro-settlement movement, it is not appropriate for the State of Israel is taking such harsh measures against settler residents,” Katz commented in a statement announcing his decision, referring to the West Bank using its biblical name.

In the hours following this announcement, several attacks were carried out by Jewish extremists. On Saturday, dozens of settler residents threw stones at Israeli soldiers and border police near the West Bank settlement of Itamar and dozens of Jewish extremists heading to Hebron on the occasion of an annual pilgrimage attempted to attack the head of the IDF Central Command, General Avi Bluth, during the day on Friday. Netanyahu condemned an attack two days later.