New details are emerging regarding the plan to transfer civilian enforcement authorities in Judea and Samaria from the IDF to the Israel Police, which was instructed by Israel's Minister of Defense, Israel Katz. Arutz Sheva-Israel National News has learned that during discussions on the matter, it was made clear that the move concerns only Area C, and not Areas A and B.
According to information obtained by Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, approximately two weeks ago, Minister Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Central Command Chief Avi Bluth, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Yoram Halevi, and Judea and Samaria District Police Chief Moshe Pinchi met to discuss the matter.
Helevi opened the discussion by saying that a new form of settlement - farms - has been created in territories of Area C, and that there is a need for a security and enforcement solution.
Arutz Sheva has learned that all parties in the discussion determined that COGAT will complete the process of transferring civil enforcement powers in Judea and Samaria to the police. During the meeting, it was clearly stated that the move encompasses only Area C, and not Areas A and B, where, according to what was said in the meeting, only the IDF and the Palestinian Authority may operate.
Katz said during the discussion that the police’s force structure needs to be adjusted so that it can carry out its mission. The Judea and Samaria District currently has about 1,500 police officers, and according to what was raised during the discussion, providing the level of force needed to meet the required demands would require doubling the force to approximately 3,000 officers in the Judea and Samaria.
Security officials told Arutz Sheva this morning that several steps must be taken to transfer the civilian enforcement authorities in Judea and Samaria to the police. According to the officials, there is a need for a new legal arrangement, which they defined as one that means "largely undoing the Oslo Accords," by regulating the police's authority in Judea and Samaria, and establishing a fighting force that can provide a defensive and enforcement response in new territories in Judea and Samaria.
Arutz Sheva has also learned that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levi were not present at the two meetings on the issue. However, the two were updated through different channels
Police officials told Arutz Sheva: "We are not going to be the bad force against the Israeli settlement movement." According to the officials, "The police's goal is to provide enforcement and security for Israeli citizens."
Katz said earlier in the day that "it's not the IDF's job, and it is also unable to enforce civilian matters in Judea and Samaria." 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.