Zini said to veto agents’ call to put Jewish extremists in administrative detention

Shin Bet chief David Zini has rejected field agents' recommendation to place certain Jewish extremists in administrative detention amid a surge of attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, Hebrew media reported Tuesday. Zini believes Jewish extremism can be contained through other means and that the Shin Bet's Jewish Department sometimes harasses suspects without reason. The Shin Bet declined to comment on internal discussions.

Shin Bet chief David Zini has vetoed field agents' advice to place certain Jewish extremists in administrative detention amid a surge of attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, Hebrew media reported Tuesday. Administrative detention allows suspects to be held for months without trial, typically used against Palestinians when evidence is insufficient for a regular arrest warrant. Use against Jews has been negligible; Defense Minister Israel Katz halted it entirely upon taking office in November 2024 amid a surge in settler attacks. Despite Katz's directive, Shin Bet field agents, especially from a unit countering extremist Jewish violence, have recommended over the past few months that Zini place several Jewish extremists in administrative detention, Channel 13 reported. Zini, however, believes Jewish extremism can be contained through other means and that the Shin Bet's Jewish Department sometimes harasses Jewish suspects for no reason. The Shin Bet declined to comment on internal discussions. Settler violence has mounted, with near-daily, sometimes deadly attacks, but few arrests. Critics accuse the government of condoning or encouraging the attacks. Palestinian media reported overnight raids on Nablus-area villages, with cars set on fire and the word 'revenge' spray-painted. Shin Bet figures show three times more Palestinian victims of nationalist attacks than Jews. The military recorded 867 incidents of nationalist crime and settler violence in 2025, up from 682 in 2024.