Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to transfer all authorities over civilian matters in Israeli communities and among the Israeli population in Judea and Samaria to the police. The directive was given following a discussion on Thursday regarding Judea and Samaria.
Participating in the meeting were IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, the Operations Directorate Chief, the Intelligence Directorate Chief, and other commanders. According to the plan, the police will prepare to establish a force suitable for dealing with civilian matters and will be granted the required authorities and funding.
At the same time, the IDF will continue fighting Palestinian Arab terrorism and will focus on defending the borders and communities. According to Katz, the move is intended both to strengthen governance and the rule of law and order in Judea and Samaria and to allow the IDF to focus on its security missions.
"It's not the IDF's job, and it is also unable to enforce civilian matters in Judea and Samaria," Katz stated. He connected the decision to the "positive expected increase in the number of settlers in Judea and Samaria" following the decision to establish 104 new communities and to recognize the agricultural farms. He also linked the decision to the increase in threats and security challenges facing the IDF.
The Defense Minister added, "The IDF's job is to fight Palestinian terror, to focus on defending the borders and communities from threats, to address the borders and the territory itself, and security threats to the communities and the State of Israel, and not to chase youth on the hills." According to Katz, the responsibility for enforcing civilian matters will be transferred to the Israel Police.
Katz noted that the police would need to prepare accordingly for its new responsibility. "This is also a significant step in strengthening governance and the rule of law and order in the territories of Judea and Samaria and allowing the IDF to be available for the main missions," he stated.
According to the Minister, as part of the move, the police will receive the means required to carry out the mission. "The Israeli government and the IDF will delegate all powers necessary for conducting the mission to the police," he affirmed.