Security leadership rift: Bluth must justify refusal to release administrative detainee

The rift in the security leadership in Judea and Samaria is widening against the backdrop of a dispute between Defense Minister Israel Katz and Central Command Chief Avi Bluth regarding the use of administrative orders against Jewish citizens. At the beginning of his term, Katz announced a policy change and his intention to cancel the use of administrative orders against Jewish citizens in Judea and Samaria. Despite this, about a month ago, the Central Command Chief issued an administrative detention order against settler Tal Yinon Dardik.

The case reached a legal decision after the military court determined that the administrative order issued by Bluth was illegal. The Central Command Chief appealed the decision to the Jerusalem District Court, but it was reported this morning that the court rejected the appeal, accepted the defense's position, and canceled the order. In the last few minutes, the District Court issued an official release demand for Dardik. However, General Bluth was granted an extension until tomorrow, Monday, at 11:00, to file an additional appeal before the actual release is carried out.

In the environment of Defense Minister Israel Katz, it was clarified that from the perspective of the political echelon, the policy on the matter is clear. In the response provided, it was written:

«Due to severe flaws in the manner of issuing the order, the minister instructed not to renew the order, but to deal with the problem in other ways».

In the "Honenu" organization, which accompanies Dardik, they welcomed the court's decision and described the authorities' conduct in his case as "a false arrest made without any evidence."

Now the Central Command Chief faces a decision: whether to continue the legal process and try to prevent Dardik's release, or to act in accordance with the Defense Minister's instruction not to renew the order. This development may deepen the dispute between the political echelon and the military command on the issue of using administrative orders in Judea and Samaria.