Viewer interrupts Defense Minister Israel Katz during «Patriots» broadcast

Defense Minister Israel Katz appeared this evening (Sunday) on the «Patriots» program to discuss a range of security issues currently in the headlines. One of the topics addressed was administrative detentions carried out against Jewish citizens in Judea and Samaria, a procedure more severe than standard legal processes. Katz claimed that after years of these orders remaining in effect, he had canceled them. A viewer from the audience responded: «That’s not true».

Katz stated:

«I canceled the administrative detention orders; no one before me canceled them. The commander of the Central Command has the authority to restrict residence, but he must use it judiciously and in accordance with the recommendations of the Shin Bet, which determines the level of danger. The correct path is to begin with a criminal investigation: if there is no evidence, then there is none, and if there is evidence, then charges should be brought.»

During his remarks, the viewer interrupted again, saying: «That is not correct. You did not cancel the orders.» The minister replied: «That is your opinion, and that is my opinion.» Katz also referred to administrative detainee Tal Yinon Dradick, whose detention order he canceled: «Dradick can go to his parents’ home today; he can go anywhere except Area B, where he wants to go, because that currently leads to a confrontation with the Americans.»