In rare move, four Israelis detained under controversial measure: official

Four Israelis suspected of committing violence against Palestinians last week in the occupied West Bank have been detained under a controversial security measure, a defence ministry official said Wednesday.

In a rare move, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant issued administrative arrest warrants against them, a measure usually reserved for Palestinians.

Administrative detention is a controversial measure under which suspects are held without charge or trial for renewable periods of up to six months.

The practice has often been used against Palestinians, and Israeli authorities have come under severe criticism from Palestinians, human rights groups, and members of the international community for abusing the measure.

"Palestinians have seen decades of impunity, and that fuels deep mistrust with the military justice system," says @OmarSShakir https://t.co/4r5t7Ls0of

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) June 22, 2023

The four detainees are accused of taking part in violence in the West Bank last week and of "endangering the lives of innocent people," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

They are also accused of damaging Palestinian property and setting cars on fire.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War and, excluding annexed East Jerusalem, the territory is now home to around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law.

Israeli violence has been increasing in the territory since early last year, and last week's unrest occurred shortly after two Palestinians shot dead four Israelis near the Jewish settlement of Eli in northern West Bank, in retaliation to continued Israeli violence. The assailants were later shot dead.