Senior Rabbis Demand Immediate Release of Settler Detained Under Administrative Order

Rabbi Elyakim Levanon and several senior rabbis from the "Torat Ha'aretz HaTova" forum have called on Defense Minister Israel Katz to order the immediate release of settler Tal Yinon Dradik. Dradik was detained for allegedly violating an administrative order imposed by Central Command Chief Avi Blot, which the rabbis argue was impossible to comply with. They strongly protested Dradik's detention without trial or evidence, emphasizing the unjust nature of the administrative order that confined him to house arrest at his mother-in-law's home.

The rabbis highlighted the sensitive timing of the arrest, occurring just one week after Dradik's son was born, while his wife was still recovering and caring for their four children alone. Due to these circumstances, Dradik has reportedly begun a hunger strike until he is allowed to return home to his family. The rabbis also expressed principled opposition to the use of administrative orders against Israeli citizens, stating such measures should be reserved for extreme security threats and not applied to Jews.

Their letter to Minister Katz demands an immediate halt to the use of administrative orders against settlers and calls for Dradik's urgent release. The appeal is signed by prominent spiritual leaders in Judea and Samaria, including Rabbi Elyakim Levanon (Chief Rabbi of Samaria and head of Alon Moreh Yeshiva), Rabbi Ariel Barali (Rabbi of Beit El), Rabbi Ohad Krakover (Rabbi of Kochav HaShachar), Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Schwartz (Rabbi of Kiryat Arba-Hebron), Rabbi Yair Frank (Rabbi of Amichai and Amona), and Rabbi Noam Waldman (head of Kiryat Arba Yeshiva).