Report: Shin Bet agents sought administrative detention orders for Jews, Zini vetoed

In the wake of heightened violence in the West Bank, Shin Bet field agents recommended that several Jews — presumably extremist settlers — who are suspected of nationalist crime be placed in administrative detention, but the head of the agency, David Zini, declined to do so, Channel 13 reports.

Sources in the Shin Bet tell the network that Zini said Jewish rioters could be dealt with using different methods instead, echoing the policy of Defense Minister Israel Katz, who called for an end to such orders against Jews, and recently lashed out at the IDF’s West Bank commander for seeking to renew one.

Administrative detention is a measure that allows suspects to be held without trial when there is not enough evidence for a normal warrant.

The Shin Bet, in response to the report, says it “does not comment on the discussions of professionals in the service.”