(MENAFN- Arab News) JERUSALEM: Israel has jailed a Jewish extremist for six months without charges or trial expanding a crackdown against militant Jews and deploying a contentious measure typically used for Palestinians suspected of planning attacks.
It is the first time the measure known as administrative detention has been applied to an Israeli since the crackdown began following a pair of deadly attacks last week.
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon signed an order that jailed Mordechai Meyer an extremist from the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim for six months. A statement from Yaalon's office said Meyer 18 was being held in connection to 'his involvement in violent activities and recent terror attacks.' The ministry would not elaborate but Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet said Meyer was among five people arrested in connection with the arson attack against a well-known church in northern Israel in June.