Defense Minister Israel Katz has questioned the growing use of administrative measures against settlers in Judea and Samaria following multiple complaints submitted to his office, according to an exclusive report by Arutz Sheva.

During a closed discussion Monday, Katz said his decision to abolish administrative detention was intended to move suspected criminal activity into the regular investigative and judicial process and to prevent an entire community from being broadly stigmatized.

“This is the correct policy, and I stand by it clearly even today,” Katz said.

He stressed that the change was never meant to be replaced by the sweeping use of other administrative powers held by the head of Central Command without trial or an orderly legal process, except in isolated and exceptional cases.

“Recently, this balance was disturbed,” Katz said.

Katz specifically addressed the case of hilltop activist Tal Yinon Derdik, who is on a hunger strike after being issued an administrative demarcation order. Katz said the case “goes beyond reasonable limits and must be handled appropriately by adjusting the order itself.”

He added that if Derdik committed criminal offenses, he should be dealt with through the regular criminal process, like any other Israeli citizen.

Associates of the defense minister said Katz plans to convene a broader discussion to examine the use of administrative measures in the Central Command region and establish a clear policy. The goal will be to allow police and the judicial system to address violence and vigilantism while preventing disproportionate harm to residents and suspects through the denial of basic rights.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)