Court Rejects Appeal in Case of Settler on Hunger Strike
The Jerusalem District Court has rejected the appeal filed by Central Command Chief Avi Bluth. Judge Avraham Rubin ruled the administrative order against Tal Yinon Dardik void, paving the way for his immediate release.
The Jerusalem District Court rejected today, Sunday, the appeal filed by the Central Command Chief, Avi Bluth, through the State Attorney's Office. Judge Avraham Rubin fully adopted the ruling of the military appellate court in Judea and Samaria, declaring that the administrative order issued against the settler Tal Yinon Dardik is inapplicable and void from the outset. This decision paves the way for Dardik's immediate release from detention.
The legal ruling follows significant public and political controversy. The administrative proceedings against Dardik were pursued by the Central Command Chief in direct contradiction to the instructions of Defense Minister Israel Katz, who had ordered a halt to the enforcement of the order against the citizen. The decision to appeal against the position of the political echelon sparked widespread public outcry, with many viewing it as a severe breach of governance procedures.
Dardik, currently held at the Russian Compound (Migrash HaRusim), has been on a hunger strike for 34 days in protest against the violation of his rights. Following the court's ruling, Adv. Moshe Polsky of the 'Honenu' organization, representing Dardik, initiated expedited procedures to secure his immediate release. Polsky welcomed the decision, noting that two legal instances have now unequivocally determined the order to be invalid.
Advocate Polsky leveled sharp criticism at the conduct of the security establishment. He argued that the Central Command Chief maintained Dardik's detention for over a month despite it being clear that the administrative order was illegal. Polsky called on the Central Command Chief and the Shin Bet to conduct a thorough internal review of their actions in this matter.
The court's decision establishes that there is no longer a legal basis for Dardik's continued detention. Adv. Moshe Polsky is working with relevant authorities to remove remaining barriers to his release, and the 'Honenu' organization maintains that the ruling is binding and leaves no room for continued detention under the same order.
