In an apparent U-turn, Israeli defence minister Naftali Bennett has rescinded an administrative detention order against a Jewish terror suspect less than 24 hours after signing it.
19-year-old Eliya Ben David is alleged to have thrown rocks at a vehicle in the West Bank, injuring a Palestinian driver.
He was initially released by a Lod District Court due to lack of evidence, but was re-arrested due to the detention order before he had left the courthouse.
A statement from Mr Bennett’s office said he had decided to reduce the detention order to a ban from the areas of Judea and Samaria “after thorough scrutiny”.
Administrative detention allows for terror suspects to be held indefinitely without trial and is a power usually reserved for Palestinians.
Mr Ben David’s legal representation said he was the only Jewish-Israeli being detained under the rule.
Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem reported that, as of December, all 464 other detainees are Palestinian.
Mr Ben David’s lawyer Adi Keidar said: “The Defence Minister’s decision to retract the order is appropriate, but it is not the final word.
“There must be a thorough examination of all of the administrative orders that are being issued, including distancing orders, which are issued offhandedly.”
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