National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Prison Commissioner Visit Detained Tal Yinon Dardik Amid Hunger Strike

On Wednesday, Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yakobi visited Tal Yinon Dardik, who is held under administrative detention at the Megarash Russians detention center. Dardik is suspected of serious violent offenses, including abuse and a grave indecent act against a Palestinian, according to a Shin Bet document obtained by Channel 7. The police reported that during the incident, Jewish assailants attacked Palestinians, including women and children, with clubs, restrained some victims, committed an indecent act against one, and caused injuries requiring medical treatment to four individuals.

The Shin Bet document also revealed that the Central Command commander signed the detention order against Dardik following a direct recommendation from the security service. Earlier reports indicated that Dardik rejected all detention alternatives proposed by the IDF after Defense Minister Benny Gantz's intervention. These alternatives included house arrest at his parents' home in Maale Adumim or renting a legal apartment in the West Bank for him and his family. Security officials stated that Dardik refused all offers outright, insisting on house arrest only at his home located in Area B within an unauthorized outpost. He declared he would continue his hunger strike unless permitted to stay at his home.

Security sources emphasized that Dardik is not detained due to denial of house arrest but because he refuses to provide a legal address as mandated by the district court. Once he submits a lawful address, he will be released to house arrest. Dardik's family strongly contested the authorities' claims, accusing Central Command of lying and Defense Minister Gantz of refusing to correct the injustice. They stated no genuine offer to rent a suitable apartment was made, only recycled, irrelevant proposals. The family highlighted that Dardik manages a farm with 150 sheep, and house arrest or exile from the farm would destroy his livelihood and family. They urged the defense minister to cancel the administrative detention order immediately and halt the use of other excessive administrative orders.