Just before the start of the Sukkos, the Supreme Court rejected a petition filed by Honenu on behalf of a minor from the community of Bat Ayin. The petition requested that the youth be allowed to stay in his home during yomtov despite an administrative order issued by IDF Central District Commander Major-General Nitzan Alon banning him from entering the Yehuda and Shomron regions, including returning to his own home.

Honenu attorney Adi Kedar filed the petition after Major General Alon rejected his request for the youth to be allowed to return to Bat Ayin to be with his family during Sukkos. Major General Alon authorized the youth to be at his home during Yom Kippur only.

The youth’s family appeared in court for the deliberation and explained the hardship experienced by a 17-year-old youth forbidden from staying at his parents’ home to Justices Grunis, Amit and Danziger. The youth is currently staying with various relatives for short periods of time.

Kedar stated during the court deliberation that the administrative order, which was ordered without a trial and without presenting evidence, is disproportional and was issued because of political considerations and not security concerns as is claimed by the IDF and the Jewish Department of the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet).

At the end of the deliberation the Supreme Court rejected the petition and rebuked the youth’s family, demanding that they conduct a soul searching. The justices wrote that they had not found cause to permit the youth to go home for the holiday, but did not give the reasoning for their decision.

Kedar responded to the decision: “The justice system once again proved its discriminatory policy and lack of balance when the justices showed a lack of consideration for the needs of the minor and his family and did not allow the youth to spend the holiday with his family. I regard the decision with regret. This ruling attests to the harassment of settlers and the inappropriately selective enforcement of the law against them.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)