Defense Minister Katz Demands High Court Avoid Military Operational Decisions

The minister's remarks follow a Supreme Court directive ordering the state to formulate a plan and timeline for the return of approximately 40,000 residents who were evacuated from these camps. The court's decision, made by Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit and Justices Alex Stein and Khaled Kabub, followed a petition filed by the Association for Civil Rights on behalf of the displaced residents. Katz declared that the evacuated residents will not be permitted to return to their homes, as the defense establishment believes conditions are not yet ripe for their return.

Katz explained that upon his appointment, he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formulated a new security concept for Judea and Samaria. This strategy shifted military operations from frequent raids to a permanent presence in the camps, which he described as former terrorist strongholds. Katz credited this new approach with eliminating terrorists, destroying terror infrastructure, and reducing regional terrorist activity by 80%. He vowed to pursue special legislative action in the Knesset if necessary to maintain the military's presence and prevent judicial interference.