Thursday, October 31, 2024, 16:35 On Tuesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed a six-month administrative detention order against Elyakim Harel, a 19-year-old Binyamin resident who was detained by the Yehuda and Shomron Police three days ago. Since Minister Gallant took office two years ago, he has issued 30 administrative orders to Jews, more than any other defense minister. Honenu Attorney Daniel Shimshilashvilli is representing the detainee.
Harel was brought to a hearing at the Lod District Court today (Thursday). As with all administrative orders, no evidence was presented and the recipient was not granted a trial. At the hearing, Honenu Attorney Daniel Shimshilashvilli, who is representing Harel, demanded that the order be canceled.
Rabbi Araleh (Aharon) Harel, Elyakim’s father, strongly criticized Minister Gallant before the hearing: “A great injustice has been done to our son. The situation is saddening and hurtful. ‘Do no injustice in judgment,’ [Lev. 19:15] is written on the courthouse wall. Unfortunately, in our case, that verse was not followed. We hope that the court will do justice and rectify the situation. We are praying that they will, and we are certain that the truth will come to light.”
Rabbi Araleh Harel (R) and Honenu Attorney Shimshilashvilli (L) (Hebrew); Video credit: Honenu
Attorney Shimshilashvilli added, “At the hearing, the GSS, the Defense Minister, and the State Attorney’s office requested approval for the administrative detention. The same people who failed in their duty to maintain the security of Israeli citizens before the massacre on Simhat Torah [October 7] are trying to throw a young man without a criminal record into solitary confinement. There is not even a scrap of evidence justifying such a draconian step. Administrative detentions are supposed to be reserved for terrorists. Members of my client’s family are risking their lives serving in the IDF defending Israel against the enemy. I hope that the court will accept our claims of Elyakim’s innocence and dismiss the contemptible order. The police and the GSS should be fighting the enemies of Israel and not the dedicated citizens.”
Honenu Attorney Shimshilashvilli (L) and Rabbi Araleh Harel (R) (Hebrew); Video credit: Honenu