The letter from Honenu Director Meidad to the Prime Minister
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 11:10 Two Binyamin residents, one of whom is married, who were detained two days ago by the Jerusalem Police and the GSS, have not yet met with an attorney. Yesterday (Wednesday), the GSS extended the order prohibiting them from meeting with an attorney by two days. The GSS announcement of their detention reads in part, “The interrogation is being conducted with graduated intensity using various methods.” This raises a concern that the interrogators are using severe means on the detainees.
In light of the detainees’ harsh remand conditions, Honenu Director Shmuel (Zangi) Meidad wrote a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu asking him as the individual in charge of the GSS to transfer the investigation from the organization. The request is due to a conflict of interest and a serious concern that the GSS is abusing their authority. Honenu Attorneys Asaf Gonen and Daniel Shimshilashvilli are representing the detainees. Today (Thursday), a hearing will be held at the Central District Court in Lod. The attorneys will demand to meet with their clients.
Attorney Shimshilashvilli stated, “The GSS knows that the matter at hand is not serious. Nevertheless, they rushed to demand a gag order on the details of the case. Once the order has been lifted, it will become clear once again that the GSS that failed on October 7 is still mired in the erroneous mindset that Yehuda and Shomron residents are the enemy. This explains why it is the third day that the detainees have been prevented from meeting with an attorney. We will fight in court for the freedom of the Binyamin residents whom the GSS is treating like terrorists.”
Attorney Gonen added, “We are again witnesses to draconian steps taken by the GSS against Yehuda and Shomron residents in cases that are definitely neither ‘ticking time bomb’ situations nor serious offenses. It is important to emphasize that in the case before us the investigating unit and the GSS intentionally exaggerated the severity of the incident and by consequence also the baseless charges.”