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Israel jails suspected Jewish extremist without trial following attacks Israel jails suspected Jewish extremist without trial following attacks
(about 2 hours later)
Israel has jailed a suspected Jewish extremist for six months without trial, expanding a crackdown on militant Jews and deploying a contentious measure typically used for Palestinians suspected of staging attacks.Israel has jailed a suspected Jewish extremist for six months without trial, expanding a crackdown on militant Jews and deploying a contentious measure typically used for Palestinians suspected of staging attacks.
It is the first time the measure, known as administrative detention, has been applied against an Israeli since the crackdown began following two deadly attacks last week.It is the first time the measure, known as administrative detention, has been applied against an Israeli since the crackdown began following two deadly attacks last week.
Related: Israel to detain Jewish terror suspects without trialRelated: Israel to detain Jewish terror suspects without trial
The Israeli defence minister, Moshe Ya’alon, signed an order on Tuesday to jail Mordechai Meyer, from the West Bank settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim.The Israeli defence minister, Moshe Ya’alon, signed an order on Tuesday to jail Mordechai Meyer, from the West Bank settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim.
Yaalon’s office said Meyer, who Israeli media reported to be 18 years old, was being held in connection to “his involvement in violent activities and recent terror attacks”. Ya’alon’s office said Meyer, who Israeli media reported to be 18 years old, was being held in connection to “his involvement in violent activities and recent terror attacks”.
The ministry would not elaborate on the suspicions against him. But Israeli media said Meyer was suspected of links to attacks against an important church in northern Israel and another in Jerusalem, as well as attacks on Palestinian property. He has previously been banned from the West Bank and Jerusalem, Israeli media also said.The ministry would not elaborate on the suspicions against him. But Israeli media said Meyer was suspected of links to attacks against an important church in northern Israel and another in Jerusalem, as well as attacks on Palestinian property. He has previously been banned from the West Bank and Jerusalem, Israeli media also said.
The detention intensifies a crackdown on Jewish militancy that came after two deadly attacks last week.The detention intensifies a crackdown on Jewish militancy that came after two deadly attacks last week.
On Friday, suspected Jewish extremists carried out an arson attack on a West Bank home in which a Palestinian toddler was burned to death and his parents and four-year-old brother were seriously wounded. A day earlier, an anti-gay ultra-Orthodox man stabbed six people at Jerusalem’s gay pride parade, and one of them – 16-year-old Shira Banki – died of her wounds.On Friday, suspected Jewish extremists carried out an arson attack on a West Bank home in which a Palestinian toddler was burned to death and his parents and four-year-old brother were seriously wounded. A day earlier, an anti-gay ultra-Orthodox man stabbed six people at Jerusalem’s gay pride parade, and one of them – 16-year-old Shira Banki – died of her wounds.
Related: Death of 18-month-old in arson attack heightens tensions in West BankRelated: Death of 18-month-old in arson attack heightens tensions in West Bank
Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has pledged zero tolerance for Jewish terrorism and Israel has authorised a series of steps, including administrative detention, to help stamp out the trend.Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has pledged zero tolerance for Jewish terrorism and Israel has authorised a series of steps, including administrative detention, to help stamp out the trend.
On Tuesday, authorities also arrested Meir Ettinger, a high-profile activist accused of leading a new movement of defiant settler youths who embrace violence and reject the rule of law in the name of the purity of the holy land.On Tuesday, authorities also arrested Meir Ettinger, a high-profile activist accused of leading a new movement of defiant settler youths who embrace violence and reject the rule of law in the name of the purity of the holy land.
Ettinger, 23, was not being held under administrative detention but was arrested for “involvement in an extremist Jewish organisation”. The Shin Bet security agency would not say if Ettinger is also suspected in the West Bank arson attack.Ettinger, 23, was not being held under administrative detention but was arrested for “involvement in an extremist Jewish organisation”. The Shin Bet security agency would not say if Ettinger is also suspected in the West Bank arson attack.
Administrative detention is typically used against Palestinians who can be held for months or even years without trial or charge. The measure is rarely applied against Israelis. Israel has defended the administrative detention of Palestinians as a necessary tool for preventing militant attacks.Administrative detention is typically used against Palestinians who can be held for months or even years without trial or charge. The measure is rarely applied against Israelis. Israel has defended the administrative detention of Palestinians as a necessary tool for preventing militant attacks.
Meyer’s lawyer, Adi Keidar, told Israeli Army Radio that there were “less drastic steps” Israel could use to pursue an investigation against his client. He said he opposed the measure, both for Israelis and Palestinians.Meyer’s lawyer, Adi Keidar, told Israeli Army Radio that there were “less drastic steps” Israel could use to pursue an investigation against his client. He said he opposed the measure, both for Israelis and Palestinians.
“Legally speaking, you can’t take a person and put him in jail, without having evidence against him,” Keidar said.“Legally speaking, you can’t take a person and put him in jail, without having evidence against him,” Keidar said.