A major win
Court Releases Activists Who Entered Syrian Buffer Zone
The activists, members of the “Halutzei HaBashan” group, were arrested two days ago. Police had requested that their detention be extended by five days, citing suspicion that they had crossed into Syrian territory.
A court in Kiryat Shmona on Wednesday ordered the release of seven right-wing activists detained after entering the buffer zone along the Syrian border while calling for the establishment of Jewish settlement in the area.
The activists, members of the “Halutzei HaBashan” group, were arrested two days ago. Police had requested that their detention be extended by five days, citing suspicion that they had crossed into Syrian territory.
Attorneys representing the activists from Honenu argued that the group never entered sovereign Syrian territory and remained within an area under Israeli military control. They told the court that the activists had entered a demilitarized zone adjacent to the border, not Syria itself.
The court ruled that the level of suspicion did not justify extending the arrests and ordered the immediate release of all seven detainees.
Attorney Assaf Gonen welcomed the decision, saying the court had correctly determined that continued detention was unwarranted.
Attorney Zeev Wolf said police lacked precise information about the location where the activists were detained. He added that the defense presented detailed maps and geographic data showing the group was apprehended in an area under Israeli military control near the border.
“The court fully accepted our arguments,” Wolf said, “and ordered the release of all the detainees.”