Defense Minister Katz visits suspect accused of abusing Palestinians in detention
Tal Yinon Dardik was arrested on suspicion of abusing a Palestinian, including using a zip tie. After refusing house arrest, he began a hunger strike, sparking protests in the settlements. Defense Minister Israel Katz made an unusual visit to his detention cell.
Minister of Defense Israel Katz met yesterday (Friday) for about an hour with Tal Yinon Dardik, who is suspected of abusing Palestinians and involvement in nationalist crime, in his detention cell. Dardik, it should be recalled, refused administrative house arrest and other alternatives to detention, demanding to stay only at the farm where he resides. In light of this, he is being held in a detention cell, and in protest, he began a hunger strike that has been ongoing for 20 days.
The events in which Dardik is suspected occurred in the village of Khumsa in March, during Operation "Lion's Roar". Among other things, according to the suspicion, he was involved in tying a Palestinian's penis with a zip tie. He himself denies his part in the events and claims he was not involved in nationalist crime. His associates claim that there is a real danger to his life following the hunger strike he began.
Dardik's arrest has led to lively discourse in the settlements, various letters sent to the Minister of Defense, and a wave of sharp protest in the settlements against Central Command Chief Avi Bluth. Katz's visit is considered a very unusual step for a Minister of Defense. Sources familiar with the details say that the minister came to visit Dardik to ensure that his medical condition is stable.
