Katz goes all out against IDF attempts to reduce Jewish violence against Palestinians - analysis

Defense Minister Israel Katz is reportedly undermining the efforts of IDF Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth to curb Jewish extremist violence in the West Bank. This alleged interference comes at a time when such violence is reportedly escalating to some of its worst levels.

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Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared open season on IDF Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth and much of the already weakened efforts to restrain Jewish extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Katz is accused of hindering Bluth's work, particularly after a January 2025 decision that ended administrative detention for Jews. While administrative detention continues for over 3,200 Palestinians, sometimes for years, Katz opted for rehabilitation and increased indictments for Jewish extremists. However, sources suggest that indicting many involved in extremist violence is difficult without compromising intelligence sources and methods, the same reason administrative detention is used for Palestinians.

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Bluth held back due to decision ending detention for Jews

Maj. Gen. Bluth, who is primarily tasked with thwarting Palestinian terror and has been active in settlement expansion through legal channels, has reportedly faced limitations in his secondary role of restraining violent Jewish extremists. Despite Bluth's and Shin Bet Director David Zini's moderate efforts, including legislative proposals for face-coverings and electronic ankle cuffs, these have had limited success. The article notes that these tools have relatively easy workarounds.

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But Katz decided to end even the limited number of administrative detentions, instead encouraging rehabilitation and more indictments - though all signs are that it is extremely difficult to indict many of the Jews involved in extremist violence without blowing intelligence sources and methods - the same reason administrative detention is used for Palestinians.

Since Katz's decision to end administrative detention for Jews, the situation regarding Jewish extremist violence has reportedly deteriorated. Katz's 19-month rehabilitation efforts have shown no significant results, according to the report. In recent months, Bluth has resorted to using restraining orders, which prohibit certain individuals from entering specific areas in Judea and Samaria, as a measure to control the escalating violence.

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Since January 2025, there have been ups and downs, but overall the situation of Jewish extremist violence has deteriorated to new highs in attacks, mass attacks, and general chaos.