Defense Minister Israel Katz held a meeting at the detention center with administrative detainee Tal Yinon Dardik

Minister of Defense Israel Katz held a lengthy meeting yesterday at the detention center with Tal Yinon Dardik, who is currently being held in administrative detention. The unusual visit took place against the backdrop of a petition submitted by Knesset members calling for his release, and after Dardik began a hunger strike.

Associates of Minister Katz stated that the purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the detainee's life was not in danger. According to those close to the family, during the meeting, Minister Katz offered an alternative of house arrest with friends, but Dardik rejected the offer.

The meeting occurred in parallel with the security establishment's response to the expanding media campaign for Dardik's release, during which the serious suspicions attributed to him were revealed. According to a Shin Bet document, the GOC Central Command signed the administrative detention order against Tal Yinon on the service's recommendation. The security establishment claims that Dardik is suspected of involvement in abusing Palestinians, including the use of zip ties.

Dardik categorically denies all allegations against him. His family responded sharply to the accusations:

«Tal Yinon was arrested and released on the same day without even being brought for a remand hearing, as the police knew he had no connection to the incident. The purpose of this false arrest was to blacken his name. Tal Yinon is completely innocent and is engaged in settling the land and raising sheep. If the security establishment believes he committed an offense, it has the option to file an indictment in a criminal proceeding. The fact that it chose to avoid this testifies that this is another attempt to harm the pioneers of the settlement movement using administrative tools.»