Israel's Defense Minister Assigns Police Responsibility for Settler Violence

Defense Minister Israel Katz has clarified that the responsibility for addressing violence perpetrated by Jewish individuals in the West Bank lies with the Israeli Police, not the IDF. He stated that the police's Judea and Samaria (Shai) district should handle the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of rioters.

Katz emphasized that the IDF's role is to combat Palestinian terrorism and protect the country's borders and settlements, not to engage in civilian law enforcement. This directive comes amidst criticism following recent violent incidents, including the alleged assault of a journalist and foreign diplomats near the village of Taybeh in the Benjamin region.

A comprehensive plan has been developed under Katz's guidance to delineate responsibilities between the IDF and the police in the West Bank. This plan transfers the actual civilian enforcement authority to the police's Shai district, while the IDF retains its security functions.

Furthermore, Katz reiterated his decision not to reinstate administrative detention orders against settlers, a measure he canceled upon taking office. He asserted that strong and effective police enforcement, rather than administrative measures, is the appropriate solution.

Katz has agreed with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to expedite the plan's implementation, ensuring coordination between the IDF and police, along with the allocation of necessary budgets and personnel to the Shai district. His remarks followed a large-scale police operation in the Benjamin region, where ten suspects were arrested in connection with recent violent events. Police Commissioner Dani Levy affirmed the police's commitment to professional and impartial enforcement against lawbreakers, regardless of their identity.