West Bank Security Personnel Arrested by Shin Bet Over Alleged Violence

Two security personnel from the West Bank were arrested Sunday morning for a Shin Bet interrogation, with a ban imposed on meeting their lawyers, according to the Honenu organization. Police and Shin Bet stated that the arrests were carried out as part of an investigation into "extreme violence" in the area of Aqraba about a month ago. Davidi Ben Zion, deputy head of the Samaria Regional Council, criticized the arrest, stating: "Arresting a local security coordinator like the worst of terrorists is a disgrace.

The wife of one of the detainees recounted that at 05:00, at least 15 police officers arrived at their home, some of them masked. According to her, the officers refused to give her husband the reason for his arrest and took his weapon, communication devices, and an off-road Ranger vehicle. A hearing regarding their detention was scheduled for today at the Petah Tikva Magistrates' Court.

Legal Appeal and Condemnation

Attorney Nati Rom, representing the detainees on behalf of the Honenu organization, filed an urgent appeal with the Lod District Court demanding the cancellation of the ban on meeting an attorney. The organization sharply criticized the use of this measure against the detainees.

"The use of the Shin Bet's most draconian tools against the best of our sons in a time of war is incomprehensible," Rom said. "These are tools meant to be reserved for terrorists and they are being used against security personnel who dedicated the best years of their lives to defending the state's security."

According to the joint police and Shin Bet statement, the two suspects were arrested overnight as part of an ongoing investigation by the Judea and Samaria District and the Shin Bet, in cooperation with the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division. The Petah Tikva Magistrates' Court recently extended a gag order on the case until October 29.