Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that he had instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to transfer all civilian enforcement authority for Israeli communities and residents in the West Bank to the Israel Police, as part of a broader effort to redefine the military’s role in the territory.
According to Katz, the proposed plan would shift responsibility for civilian law enforcement and public order involving the Israeli population in the West Bank from the IDF to the police.
“The IDF’s role is to fight Palestinian terrorism and focus on defending the borders and the communities against threats,” Katz said in a statement.
“All responsibility for enforcing civilian matters and maintaining law and order will be transferred to the police,” he added.
Kariv: Katz’s instruction to IDF goes against Israeli, int’l law
MK Gilad Kariv (The Democrats) decried the move as “contrary to Israeli law, international law, and our country’s clear national security interests.”
“This directive will not be implemented, but it sends a clear message to IDF troops on the ground: Do not act against Jewish terrorism and the hilltop youth gangs. Commanders who do act will be punished,” Kariv stated, accusing Katz of functioning as an “Iron Dome protecting Jewish terrorism in the [West Bank].”
