Rights9/2/2026

After the Cancellation of Administrative Detention for Israelis: What Changed in the West Bank

Defense Minister Israel Katz ended the administrative detention of Israelis suspected of serious violence and terrorism in Judea and Samaria. According to IDF data cited in the article, after the decision was implemented, the number of violent incidents by settlers rose from 682 in 2024 to 867 in 2025.

Key facts

•Decision announced: November 22, 2024
•Actual release: January 17, 2025
•Israelis held in administrative detention before the cancellation: 7
•Violent incidents: 682 in 2024 and 867 in 2025
•Palestinians held in administrative detention: more than 3,000

What Decision the Minister Made

Katz announced the general cessation of administrative detention for Israelis on November 22, 2024. On January 17, 2025, he ordered the immediate release of all Israelis held in such detention; there were seven at the time of the original announcement. The minister stated that suspects should be prosecuted through ordinary criminal proceedings rather than held in detention without indictment.

What Is Administrative Detention?

In territories not formally annexed to Israel, military law allowed administrative detention to be applied to both Palestinians and Israelis. This means detention without trial and without indictment, based on classified intelligence. Following Katz's decision, Israelis became subject only to ordinary criminal proceedings, which require admissible evidence and a judicial process, while the administrative detention of Palestinians continues.

Security Services’ Objections

The head of the Shin Bet at the time, Ronen Bar, warned that abolishing this tool could cause serious and immediate harm to state security when intelligence indicates preparations for attacks by Jewish extremists. After the detainees were released, the service stated that it had not been notified in advance and had not been asked to assess the consequences. Concerns were also expressed by representatives of the U.S. administration and human rights organizations.

What the Data Show

According to the IDF’s updated data cited in the article, 867 violent incidents by settlers were documented in 2025, compared with 682 in 2024—an increase of about 27%. The number of Palestinians injured in such attacks, according to the data referenced by the source, rose from 149 to 200, while the number of fatalities fell from six to four. These figures indicate an increase following the policy change, but by themselves do not prove that the cancellation of administrative detention was the sole cause.

What this means for you

Following the minister’s decision, an Israeli suspected of violence in Judea and Samaria must be prosecuted through ordinary criminal proceedings rather than administrative detention. For Palestinians, detention without indictment based on classified materials remains available. In practice, this means different enforcement mechanisms depending on the suspect’s status.

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