The unusual decision regarding Tal Yinon Dardik - and the anger in the IDF: "A problematic precedent"

The military appeals committee in Judea and Samaria has accepted the appeal of Tal Yinon Dardik against the administrative order issued by the Central Command Chief, Avi Bluth, ruling that the command lacks the authority to order him to remain under house arrest at his mother-in-law's home. This was revealed for the first time by "HaYom". Furthermore, the committee ordered the IDF to locate an alternative detention arrangement, suggesting that renting an apartment at the state's expense should be considered. A gag order was placed on the content of the decision.

Dardik, a resident of a farm in Binyamin and a father of four, has been in custody for about three weeks. The security establishment claims he violated the terms of the administrative order, which required him to stay under full house arrest at his mother-in-law's home without her consent. Dardik argued from the outset that the instruction was impossible to carry out; following his non-compliance, he was arrested and indicted for violating the administrative order.

The background to the order is the violence in Khirbet Khumsa. According to suspicions, on the night of March 12-13, dozens of Jews arrived at the Bedouin village in the northern Jordan Valley, attacked Palestinian residents, handcuffed some, dragged away foreign volunteers, and stole sheep. Investigators also suspect that in one instance, a zip tie was placed around the genitals of a Palestinian. While authorities have evidence of Dardik's presence at the scene, they currently believe there is insufficient evidence to link him directly to the acts of violence for a criminal indictment. Consequently, his detention is based solely on the violation of the administrative order.

The appeals committee ordered the IDF to find an alternative detention arrangement. The Israel Prison Service will continue to monitor the health of Dardik, who has been on a hunger strike since his arrest. The Honenu organization reports that his condition has deteriorated, noting recurring fainting spells.

Advocate Moshe Polsky of Honenu welcomed the decision: "As we have argued from the first day, this is an inapplicable administrative order. The Central Command Chief cannot order Tal Dardik to stay at his mother-in-law's house against her will. The court determined that the order cannot remain in its current format, and if the state believes he should remain under house arrest, it must provide a suitable alternative."

Political pressure is also mounting. A series of ministers, Knesset members, and approximately 150 Likud branch heads and central members have appealed to Defense Minister Israel Katz, demanding the cancellation of administrative orders against settlers in Judea and Samaria and the release of Dardik. IDF sources responded that providing an apartment to everyone under administrative house arrest creates a "problematic precedent," but confirmed they will comply with state directives.