The Biden administration has issued a warning to Israel over its decision to halt the issuance of administrative detention orders against Israeli settlers suspected of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This move could potentially escalate violence in the region, according to two U.S. officials who spoke with Axios.
Why it matters: While administrative detention has been primarily used by Israeli security forces against Palestinians, it has also been a tool to address Jewish settler violence against Palestinians.
U.S. officials indicated that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conveyed the administration's concerns during a call with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday. Austin expressed deep worry about the impact of the decision. In response, Katz explained that the halt in administrative detentions was an internal policy decision based on Israel's commitment to democratic principles. He argued that such orders against citizens are not allowed in any democracy, including the U.S. The Israeli Ministry of Defense added that Israel strongly opposes violence against Palestinians and would address it through the Israel Defense Forces, law enforcement, and societal norms, rather than "undemocratic procedures."
The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter.
Driving the news: The Shin Bet security agency has relied on administrative detention as a means to protect sensitive intelligence sources within extremist Jewish settler groups. Katz revealed on Friday that after meeting with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, he decided to stop issuing administrative detention orders against settlers in the West Bank and instructed the agency to implement alternative measures. Katz justified the move by citing "serious Palestinian terror threats" and the "unjustified international sanctions" imposed on settlers. This year, the Biden administration has sanctioned several Jewish settlers and their associated organizations.
Behind the scenes: Two U.S. officials revealed that Katz's decision has intensified tensions between the Biden administration and Israel. With President Trump set to take office in less than two months, the outgoing administration's options are limited to expressing concern both privately and publicly. One U.S. official described the decision as "deeply misguided," adding that administrative detention was the only mechanism through which the Biden administration could claim Israel was taking steps to curb settler violence. "Now we can't do that anymore," the official noted.
What they're saying: U.S. officials emphasized that the Biden administration expects Israel to enforce the law impartially, ensuring equal treatment of both Jews and Palestinians in the West Bank.
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