Israel's Defense Minister Orders Administrative Detention for Palestinian Journalist

Defense Minister Israel Katz has signed an administrative detention order for a senior Palestinian journalist from East Jerusalem, Rassem Obeidat, keeping him imprisoned for six months. This decision comes despite a court having previously refused to extend his criminal detention and being on the verge of releasing him due to insufficient evidence.

Obeidat, 67, a father of four from Jabal Mukhaber, is a senior writer and commentator for the "Al-Quds" newspaper and other Arab and international media outlets. He is known for his critical writings on the occupation and Israeli leadership. Previously, he served nearly two years in prison about 20 years ago for ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. In December 2023, he was arrested on suspicion of incitement and released after five days without indictment.

He was arrested again two weeks ago at his home, with police requesting an eight-day extension of his detention on suspicion of conspiracy and membership in a terrorist organization. A Jerusalem Magistrate Court judge, Ofir Tisler, found "reasonable suspicion of committing the offenses" but partially granted the police's request, extending his detention by only three days. Obeidat appealed to the District Court. Following the advice of Judge Shoshana Libovich, he withdrew the appeal. However, during the hearing, the judge hinted to the police that he would likely be released within two days if no new evidence was presented.

Instead of filing another request for detention, Defense Minister Katz signed the administrative order the following day. A hearing on the detention confirmation took place Tuesday before the President of the Jerusalem District Court, Moshe Sobel. As is customary in such hearings, part of the proceedings were held ex parte, with Shin Bet officials presenting classified evidence to the judge. Historically, the chances of such requests being denied are slim.

Obeidat's attorney in the administrative proceedings, Haim Hadia, criticized the order, stating that the police arrested and suspected someone of security offenses, realizing they lacked evidence for continued detention. He alleged that the Shin Bet then presented a recommendation to the Defense Minister, who then signed the order, revoking the freedom of an elderly man with complex health issues, a father and grandfather of 12 grandchildren, without admissible evidentiary basis.

Family members reported that Obeidat suffers from diabetes and is not receiving adequate medical care in detention. According to the Hotline for Defense of the Individual, there are currently 3,101 administrative detainees in Israel, comprising about a third of all security prisoners. Recent reports from human rights organizations have indicated that security and administrative prisoners suffer from starvation, medical neglect, violence, and humiliation under Israel Prison Service conditions.