Israeli rights NGO HaMoked released a report on Monday (May 2) with this new figure: In May, Israel detained 604 people without charge or trial, almost all of them Palestinians, as administrative detention is very rarely used against Israeli Jews. . The last time there were so many administrative detainees was in October 2016, following a spike in stabbings and car-rammings by Palestinians living under occupation.
With our correspondent in Ramallah, Alice Froussard
All these administrative detainees are arrested on the basis of ” secret evidence they ignore the charges against them, are not allowed to defend themselves in court.
Detention periods last 6 months, but are renewable and often lead to months or even years in detention.
According to Israel, this administrative detention is used to thwart attacks, a procedure that allows authorities to detain suspects while continuing to collect evidence.
The Jewish state says all administrative detention orders are subject to judicial review.
But the Palestinians and many human rights groups say it: this system is largely abusive, it circumvents a traditional justice procedure and prevents a real trial.
” This is far beyond what can be justified under international law “says Jessica Montell, director of the NGO HaMoked, who adds that this type of detention can be used, but in rare circumstances and for very short periods. ” Sometimes there are also errors of identity “, she specifies.
In response to these administrative detentions, several Palestinian detainees went on hunger strikes. Many of them developed permanent health problems.