Jailed Jewish extremist released for rehabilitation at pre-military program
Minor who allegedly took part in settler riots will attend the Bnei David Mechina, known for its rabbis’ controversial remarks, in unprecedented deal approved by defense minister

A suspected Jewish extremist, who was jailed following settler rampages through Palestinian towns, is set to be transferred to a West Bank pre-military academy, where he will join the student body as part of a pilot program, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.
The suspect, a minor whose name was not released, had been held under administrative detention, a controversial practice that allows authorities to keep suspects in custody essentially indefinitely, even if no charges are filed.
“The youth admitted to and expressed full regret over his actions, which were nationalistically motivated,” the Defense Ministry said without providing details about his alleged crimes.
According to Kan news, the youth was arrested in late June following settler riots instigated by a terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Eli, also home to the pre-military academy (“Mechina”), Bnei David, which he will attend.
Following the attack, in which four Israelis were killed at a hummus eatery and gas station in the settlement, hundreds of young Jewish men went on rampages in the nearby Palestinian villages including Turmus Ayya, Umm Safa and Urif, setting ablaze homes, cars, and agricultural fields, and in some cases shooting at residents.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant personally signed off on the decision to move the youth to the Bnei David Mechina based on the recommendation of the Shin Bet security service, the Defense Ministry said. The youth is expected to enlist in the IDF following participation in the program.

“Defense and judicial officials involved in the case looked over the Shin Bet’s evaluation and determined that the Mechina alternative allows the dangers exposed by the case to be treated, and ups the chances of rehabilitating from the criminality he was involved in,” the defense ministry said.
The Bnei David Mechina is considered the flagship pre-military academy for young national religious men, and its graduates wield considerable influence in Israel Defense Forces combat units. Some well-known alumni include Ofer Winter, Emmanuel Moreno and Hadar Goldin.
However, the school has also come under fire for homophobic and sexist remarks by its rabbis, Eli Sadan and Yigal Levinstein. The latter has called members of the LGBT community “deviant,” and females serving in the IDF “crazy.”