The Knesset Extends the "Law" Allowing the Detention of Gaza Detainees Without Charges and Preventing Them from Meeting Lawyers

SadaNews - The Israeli "Knesset" approved last night the extension of a "law" that allows the detention of detainees from Gaza without charges and prevents them from meeting with lawyers for extended periods.

The extension law was approved by a majority of 30 Knesset members against 6.

According to Hebrew sources, the new amendment to the law allows for the judicial extension of the prohibition on meeting with a lawyer at any stage of detention, and gives courts the authority to extend the period of prohibition for an additional 30 days at any stage of detention, not just during the initial period.

The law was first enacted in 2002, but it was not widely used until after October 7, 2023, when amendments were introduced allowing for arrest orders to be issued within 30 days of detention and requiring presenting the detainee to a judge via a "Zoom" session after 45 days.

The law allows for the prevention of lawyer meetings for 45 days, extendable by an additional 30 days at the court's discretion, which has now been expanded to include later periods as well.

The "Knesset" also voted yesterday on a statement expressing official support for imposing "Israeli sovereignty" over the occupied West Bank, at the end of the agenda of the last session before the Knesset goes on its summer break.