DM Katz prepares plan to transfer civilian enforcement in the West Bank from the IDF to the Israeli police
The transfer would not give police independent authority to operate in Areas A and B, where they currently require IDF accompaniment.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to transfer responsibility for civilian law enforcement in Israeli communities and among Israeli civilians in the West Bank to the Israel Police.
The move follows a meeting with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the head of Military Intelligence and other senior commanders.
Under the plan, the police would establish a dedicated force to handle civilian enforcement involving Israeli residents in the West Bank and would receive the necessary authority and funding.
The transfer would not give police independent authority to operate in Areas A and B, where they currently require IDF accompaniment.
Katz said the change would allow the military to focus on its core security missions, particularly combating Palestinian terrorism and protecting Israeli communities and borders. “The IDF’s role is to fight Palestinian terrorism, focus on defending the borders and the communities against threats, and not to chase after youths on the hills,” Katz said.
The directive comes after recent clashes around the Palestinian village of Qusra, where Israeli civilians established illegal outposts on privately owned Palestinian land. The IDF later evacuated the outposts amid protests by Israeli activists.
Katz said the transfer would strengthen law enforcement and governance while allowing the IDF to concentrate on growing security challenges. "This is also a significant step in strengthening governance and the rule of law and order in the territories of Judea and Samaria and the evacuation of the IDF to carry out its main missions."
He also pointed to the expected increase in the Israeli population in the West Bank following government decisions to establish new communities and legalize agricultural farms.