Military Appeals Committee Rejects Forcing Tal Dradik to Stay at Mother-in-Law’s Home

The Military Appeals Committee in the West Bank has accepted Tal Dradik’s appeal against a military administrative order requiring him to remain under house arrest at his mother-in-law’s residence. The committee ruled that the order, issued by Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blot, is unenforceable in its current form and instructed the IDF to find an alternative detention arrangement for Dradik. Judge Lt. Col. Tamar Bakiya Edgach also recommended considering renting an apartment for Dradik at the state’s expense to fulfill the order’s requirements.

Dradik’s lawyers claim he has been on a hunger strike since his arrest about three weeks ago. The decision includes a gag order on its contents. According to security sources, Dradik is linked to a violent incident in the Jordan Valley village of Humsa in March, where Jewish assailants attacked Palestinians, including women and children, with clubs, restrained some victims, committed an indecent act, and caused injuries requiring medical treatment.

Security officials noted that Dradik has refused to provide a legal address for house arrest as mandated by the district court. They stated that once he submits a valid address, he will be released from prison to house arrest. Dradik, a resident of a West Bank outpost and father of four, was arrested after violating the administrative order. His lawyers say he warned General Blot immediately after receiving the order that he could not comply, but was arrested days later.

Meanwhile, several ministers, Knesset members, and about 150 Likud branch leaders have petitioned Defense Minister Israel Katz to cancel the use of administrative orders against settlers in the West Bank and to work toward Dradik’s release. Attorney Moshe Polsky from the Honenu organization, representing Dradik, praised the ruling, emphasizing that the order was impossible to implement and that the military commander cannot force Dradik to stay at his mother-in-law’s home against her will.