Smotrich Urges Netanyahu and Katz to Defy Court Return-Timetable Order

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on October 12 to instruct the IDF not to cooperate with a High Court direction requiring a timetable for residents’ return to Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams. The residents were displaced during counterterrorism operations in northern Samaria. Smotrich argued that their return would allow terrorist infrastructure to be rebuilt and said security decisions were not justiciable. The direction followed the military’s reported position that suitable security conditions for return did not yet exist. He also pledged to complete judicial reform.