Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that he has suspended the issuance of administrative arrest warrants against illegal settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The decision marks the first time a defense minister has refused to authorize such detention orders for Jewish settlers involved in crimes against Palestinians.
Katz, known for his far-right stance, held a meeting earlier this week with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, where he informed him of the decision and requested alternative measures to be explored. Administrative arrest warrants are typically issued based on confidential intelligence related to serious offenses by illegal settlers, such as murder, arson, and violent assaults against Palestinian civilians.
Katz argued that it was inappropriate for Israel to impose such strict measures on settlers, stating that suspects could face criminal trials if there was sufficient evidence, and that other preventive measures could be taken instead of administrative detention. However, he did not specify what those alternatives would be.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, another far-right figure, strongly supported Katz’s decision, calling it a correction of a long-standing injustice for those who support Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The decision comes amid rising tensions in the West Bank, exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant casualties. Several Western countries have imposed sanctions on settler groups accused of violence against Palestinians.
In a related development, the International Court of Justice recently issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to be illegal.