Minister of Defense announces cessation of administrative detention against Jews 

In a dramatic decision, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced today (Friday) that he has decided to stop the use of administrative detention orders against Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria and ordered Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar to completely stop this practice.

Katz explained that his decision stemmed from the order to stand on the right side of the settlement movement at a time when it is under attack from many arenas. "In a reality in which Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is subject to severe Palestinian terror threats and unjustified international sanctions are imposed against settlers, it is inappropriate for the State of Israel to take such a severe step against the settlers," the defense minister said.

In a meeting held this week by Defense Minister Katz with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, the defense minister informed him of his decision to stop using administrative detention orders against Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria, and asked him to use alternative methods in the area.

* Channel 14 contributed to this article.