Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 14:31 Two weeks ago, the Civil Administration cleared out an outpost near Metzad in Gush Etzion. Afterward, several residents of the outpost tried to take personal equipment that was confiscated. In response, Arabs working for the Civil Administration attacked the residents with metal bars and tools. One of the residents suffered deep cuts and was evacuated for medical treatment. The police detained five workers, but unconditionally released them at the police station. This past week, the Yehuda and Shomron Police Prosecution Department indicted one of the assailants.
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher is representing the resident who was evacuated for medical treatment. In a letter he wrote to the police demanding that all of the assailants be put on trial. Attorney Bleicher described the attack: “On September 5, 2025, an Israeli outpost near Metzad was cleared out. After the destruction, several Arab workers, who had cleared out the outpost, attacked my client and additional civilians. They used sharp tools, such as shovels, crowbars, hoes, and notched metal bars. My client was forcefully struck on his head with either a crowbar or a metal bar. He suffered deep cuts and fell to the ground.”
Attorney Bleicher proceeded to level criticism at the police for releasing the attackers: “We understand that the suspects, including the defendant, were released by the Gush Etzion Police, and not indicted. This release precluded imposing restrictions on the suspects or holding them in remand, despite the great danger they pose. My client would like to verify that the defendant and the other suspects will be thoroughly prosecuted and penalized. Additionally, we ask the prosecuting unit to instruct the investigating unit of the Israel Police to clarify the regulations. The police should not release a suspect accused of serious violent crimes before an indictment can be filed against him, and they should be able to extend his remand as needed.”
Attorney Bleicher reacted to the incident: “Employees of a public organization attacked Yehuda and Shomron residents in an extremely serious incident. Despite the violence, the police unconditionally released the assailants. We demand that all of the assailants be put on trial and severely penalized. Also, it is unacceptable for an indicted violent assailant to be walking free and endangering public security.”
Arab Civil Administration workers attack Jewish Gush Etzion residents; Video credit: Usage permitted according to Paragraph 27 of the Copyright Law