Jerusalem Court Overturns Administrative Detention of West Bank Settler on Hunger Strike

The Jerusalem District Court has rejected the appeal filed by Central Command Chief Avi Blot against settler Tal Yinon Dradik, who has been on a hunger strike for 34 days. The court ruled that the administrative detention order against Dradik is fundamentally invalid, endorsing the military appeals court's earlier decision. This ruling paves the way for Dradik's immediate release from custody.

The legal decision came despite opposition from the defense establishment and against the explicit directive of Defense Minister Israel Katz, who had ordered a halt to the administrative detention proceedings. The appeal by Central Command was seen as a direct challenge to the political leadership, sparking significant public and political controversy.

Dradik, held at the Russian Compound detention center, protested the administrative order as unjust and a severe violation of his rights. Following the court's ruling, Dradik's attorney, Moshe Polsky from the Honenu organization, initiated expedited procedures to secure his release. Polsky praised the court's clear-cut decision and sharply criticized the defense establishment for detaining Dradik for over a month despite the detention order's illegality.

Polsky called for a thorough internal review by the Central Command and the Shin Bet regarding their handling of the case. The court emphasized that there is no longer any legal basis for Dradik's detention under the administrative order, and the military court's ruling now holds civil authority. Honenu confirmed that the decision is binding and leaves no grounds for continued detention under the order.

The case has drawn attention to tensions between military authorities and the political echelon, highlighting the contentious use of administrative detention in the West Bank. Dradik's mother has also publicly appealed for his release, citing his critical health condition due to the prolonged hunger strike.