Shin Bet: He did not consult with us about the implications

Katz releases all settlers in administrative detention, ties it to Palestinians’ release

‘It is better for the families of Jewish settlers to be happy than the families of freed terrorists,’ defense minister says ahead of Gaza deal

Defense Minister Israel Katz (C) attends a discussion on the army conscription law at a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 14, 2025.(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Defense Minister Israel Katz (C) attends a discussion on the army conscription law at a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 14, 2025.(Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced his decision Friday to free West Bank settlers held under administrative detention orders, tying it to the expected release of hundreds of Palestinian terror convicts as part of a hostage-ceasefire deal signed with Hamas in Doha Thursday night.

“In light of the expected release of terrorists from Judea and Samaria as part of the hostage release deal, I have decided to release the settlers held in administrative detention,” he said in a statement, using the biblical term for the West Bank. This, he said, was meant “to convey a clear message of strengthening and encouraging the settlements, which are at the forefront of the struggle against Palestinian terrorism and face growing security challenges.”

He added: “It is better for the families of Jewish settlers to be happy than the families of released terrorists.”

In a terse statement, the Shin Bet said Katz’s decision was made without the security agency’s prior knowledge, and noted that the defense minister did not consult with the agency for an assessment of the implications of the decision.

Katz in November announced an end to new administrative detention orders for West Bank settlers, meaning Israel would only use the controversial policy of holding suspects without charge against Palestinian terror suspects. However, he did not at the time order the release of those already held.

A total of 16 administrative detention orders were issued for Jewish Israelis under former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and seven of them were still being held as of November.

A Palestinian man inspects the damage in his house in Huwara south of Nablus, in the West Bank, following an alleged attack by Israeli settlers early on December 4, 2024. (Zain Jaafar / AFP)

Katz’s latest decision follows reports that the government will take additional measures to combat terrorism in the West Bank as part of efforts to convince Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich not to leave the coalition in protest of the Gaza deal.

Defense Minister Israel Katz signs an order for the release of all West Bank settlers held in administrative detention, January 17, 2025. (Defense Ministry)

While the practice is primarily deployed against Palestinians, administrative detention has also been used against some extremist Jewish Israelis, which has drawn increasing criticism of the ruling Likud party by its far-right coalition members.

The measure sees individuals held without charge for up to six months at a time, under limited court review. The detentions can be renewed indefinitely while allowing military prosecutors to keep suspects from being able to see the evidence against them.

The tool is typically used when authorities have intelligence tying a suspect to a crime but do not have enough evidence for charges to stand up in a court of law.

“In a reality where the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is subject to serious Palestinian terror threats and unjustified international sanctions are taken against the settlers, it is not appropriate for the State of Israel to take such a severe measure against the people of the settlements,” Katz said in November.

A fire is seen in the West Bank village of Hajja, allegedly after an arson attack by Jewish settlers, January 7, 2025 (X video screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

The Shin Bet has reportedly warned against the move, with Bar saying last June that banning the measure against Israelis “will result in an immediate, severe and serious harm to the security of the state” in cases where there is clear information that a suspect may carry out a terror attack against Palestinians.

According to a leaked copy of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement signed Thursday, over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed in return for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of the deal: 700 terrorists, 250-300 of whom are serving life terms; 1,000 Gazans captured since October 8 in fighting in the Strip; and 47 rearrested prisoners from the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal.

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