Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet Approves ‘Administrative Detention’ For Israeli Terror Suspects

Israel has approved the detention of its citizens who are suspected of instigating violence against Palestinians. The Israeli security cabinet approved "administrative detention" Sunday as it searched for those accused of carrying out an arson attack in the West Bank. A Palestinian toddler was killed in the attack.

The Israeli practice of administrative detention has typically been applied to Palestinian suspects accused of terrorism and has been the target of international criticism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government’s policy toward such crimes was “zero tolerance.” “We are determined to vigorously fight manifestations of hate, fanaticism and terrorism from whatever side,” Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu telling the cabinet during the weekly meeting.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, however, said that it will not be enough only to condemn such crimes. He said that Israel should take necessary steps against the terrorists.

A Palestinian house was set on fire, killing a small child and injuring the parents and a brother. The site was daubed with graffiti in Hebrew reading "revenge."

The Israeli security cabinet decided "to take all steps necessary to bring those responsible to justice and prevent such attacks from occurring in the future," NBC News reported. The cabinet also said that the approved methods would include “administrative detention in appropriate cases” for Israelis as well.

The cabinet called the attack on the Palestinian house in Duma as “a terror attack in every respect.”