IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth addressed illegal outposts and violence by Jewish youths in Judea and Samaria during a closed conference of the Farms Association held last week, according to recordings aired by Kan News. The conference focused on the IDF’s operational freedom and counterterrorism efforts in the region.

Bluth told farm owners that the prevention of unauthorized outposts in Areas A and B is carried out in accordance with government directives. “The moment someone crosses the law, it becomes my responsibility, and when it endangers security, it becomes doubly my responsibility,” he said. Bluth described youths who do not respect Israeli law, take the law into their own hands or refuse to recognize state authorities, while expressing hope that the conference would strengthen the positive elements operating in the region.

Addressing a campaign against him and the use of administrative restriction orders, Bluth said such orders are issued on the recommendation of the Shin Bet and based on intelligence concerning individuals suspected of violence against Palestinians. He explained that some evidence is insufficient for a criminal indictment and that suspects frequently remain silent during questioning, leading the defense establishment to use administrative measures in certain cases.

Bluth also referred indirectly to Defense Minister Israel Katz’s decision nearly two years ago to end administrative detention against Jews. He said the security establishment has an extensive set of tools for combating Palestinian terrorism, but fewer tools for confronting nationalist crime and incidents he characterized as Jewish terrorism. “I am not saying this as criticism,” Bluth said. “I am telling you so that you know this is the reality.”

The Central Command chief said such actions are “illegal, immoral” and, in his view, “not Jewish.” He argued that they damage Israel’s international legitimacy and force company and battalion commanders, particularly reservists, to spend significant time dealing with these incidents instead of other security missions.

Bluth concluded by defining the conditions under which an agricultural farm contributes to security: it must be located on state land in Area C, have an allocated grazing area, operate in coordination with the IDF and allow the military to carry out its mission. “A farm that harms security will not be called a farm,” he said. “Anyone who does not meet these conditions will not be called a farm and does not contribute to security.”

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