IDF Recruit Arrested Protesting General's Use of Administrative Orders

A conscript soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was arrested outside the Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem after protesting against the use of administrative orders by Major General Avi Bluth, the commander of Central Command. The soldier held signs reading "Avi Bluth - Stop Administrative Orders" and "Avi Bluth - Stop Persecuting Tal Yinon Dardik." Dardik, a resident of the Kfar Tzuriel outpost, is at the center of a dispute between Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Maj. Gen. Bluth. Dardik was arrested, released, and then re-arrested for violating his administrative detention order. The soldier, who was protesting these actions, was taken to a police station in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood and subsequently released. He is expected to face a military court later today.

Attorney Daniel Shimshilashvili, who is assisting the soldier through the Honenu organization, stated that Maj. Gen. Bluth's conduct towards Dardik is "outrageous" and predicts further protests if the "harassment" of Dardik continues. He criticized what he called "selective enforcement and discrimination" against settlers.

Dardik himself declared he would not cooperate with the administrative order, stating his struggle is not just about his personal order but about Bluth's policy against dozens of residents in Judea and Samaria. He is suspected by security forces of involvement in an incident in March where Palestinians were allegedly severely attacked. Due to restrictions on administrative arrest orders, security forces issued administrative house arrest orders, which Dardik also violated. After a hunger strike and refusal of alternative detention options, he was released to another alternative, which he also violated.

Security officials refuted the soldier's claims of a personal vendetta against Dardik, stating that Dardik is suspected of tying a Palestinian with a zip tie to his genitals. They questioned who is more supportive of the settlement movement: those who thwart terrorism and enable settlement growth, or those who harm its reputation and occupy security forces with order violations. They added that Dardik's decision to go to jail was his own.