Tal Yinon Dradik Demands Apology from Shin Bet and Defense Ministry Over False Allegations

Tal Yinon Dradik, currently held under administrative detention, has accused the Shin Bet and Israel's Defense Ministry of leaking false reports that portray him as a key suspect in a violent incident against Palestinians. Through his lawyer, Menahem Yado from the Honenu organization, Dradik demands a public clarification and apology, arguing that these leaks aim to justify his ongoing detention without evidence. The letter sent by Yado details that Dradik was questioned for less than an hour on the day of the incident and released without restrictions, unlike five other suspects who were detained and interrogated for about two weeks. This, Yado claims, indicates only a weak, circumstantial suspicion against Dradik, insufficient to warrant his continued detention for investigation purposes.

Dradik denies any involvement in the incident, stating he was not present at the scene, and there is no evidence contradicting his version. Yado sharply criticizes the security establishment for using these leaks to damage Dradik's reputation and undermine his public campaign against administrative detention, during which Dradik is on a hunger strike. The letter also accuses the authorities of briefing various groups, including settlement leaders, to legitimize the detention. It demands an official statement clarifying that Dradik is not a central suspect and that no evidence exists of him attacking or even being near any Palestinian during the event.

Tomorrow, Dradik is scheduled to appear before the Jerusalem District Court for a hearing on an appeal filed by Central Command Chief Avi Blot against a military appeals court decision that invalidated Dradik's administrative detention order. The appeal followed Defense Minister Israel Katz's directive to accept the military court's ruling and halt the administrative detention process against Dradik.